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Ashland co-op sticks to home Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Art Sochor of Medford, foreground, checks his grocery list at the Ashland Community Food Store. Behind Sochor, Gary Fuqua, a new store employee, works on learning produce codes so he can operate the store's cash register. The store's managers decided not to expand into Medford as they had been considering, but to add to the present Ashland store instead. By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Foods that consumers can take home for quick meals will be a top priority in the Ashland Community Food Store's upcoming expansion. Besides a bigger deli, consumers will find more frozen foods, meats and produce. Store officials hope to break ground in June or July and finish the 6,000-square-foot addition by November. It will increase retail, kitchen and storage space at the store at 237 N. First St. Expansion was envisioned when the current 8,000-square-foot building opened in 1993. Additions will be made to three sides of the building. Estimated cost ranges from $700,000 to nearly $1 million with equipment. "Nationwide, food services is the hottest department in the store," said Florida consultant Steve Rosen, who was hired by store officials to suggest deli and kitchen arrangements. "On average, a person spends less than 15 minutes per day in their kitchen." Rosen also worked on menus and budgeting. Customer surveys conducted at the store showed that 70 percent of 500 people interviewed ate some meat, said Annie Hoy, store spokeswoman. Most customers wanted to see a better selection of meats, according to the survey. "That was a controversial issue," said ACFS Board President Diane Taudvin. "(The meat) will be strictly organic and range grown." "We are at the point where we just need the space," said Taudvin. "Operationally we are selling more product than is efficient for us to carry in the space we have." ACFS currently produces sales at a yearly rate of $1,027 per square foot of retail space. The industry average is $600 to $800 per square foot, said General Manager Colleen Hansen. The store had $5 million of gross revenue in 1994. Last year's gross revenue was $7.4 million. ACFS considered adding a second store in Medford. Market studies indicated that there probably was enough of a customer base to support the store. But co-op officials decided to do the Ashland expansion first. "It's a safer bet. We know what our market is here," said Hansen. Store officials will probably reconsider adding a Medford store in a few years, both Hansen and Taudvin said. A new, one-and-one-half story entrance will be located in the center of the building's south side. It will open into the larger deli area and expanded produce section. The front wall will be moved out about 35 feet to create the bigger areas, add deli seating and expand the kitchen. There will be an espresso and juice bar. Additions on the west side will allow expansion of produce storage and display and general storage. A two-level north side expansion going out about 20 feet toward A street will allow relocation of offices and more retail space. Building practices that seek to reduce energy use will be employed. ACFS officials hope to gain state tax credits for employing the strategies. Ashland designers Carlos Delgado and Doyle Brightenburg are working with an expansion committee. John Fields of Ashland will probably build the additions, said Project Manager Erik Wallbank. ACFS is a community-owned cooperative. Financing will be sought from local banks. The store will remain open during construction. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.