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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County Mental Health will begin White City appointments ... No charges will be filed in double-fatal crash on Interstate 5 ... Free well water testing for nitrate contamination offered in Central Point ... Jackson County Mental Health will begin White City appointments ... No charges will be filed in double-fatal crash on Interstate 5 ... Free well water testing for nitrate contamination offered in Central Point ... BUSINESS Ashland Co-op eyes old Safeway site Haggen plans to close after brief takeover in wake of Albertsons-Safeway merger Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 30, 2015 at 5:08 PM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 30, 2015 at 5:08 PM » Social News Driven by a pressing need for space, both in its grocery aisles and out in the parking lot, the Ashland Community Food Cooperative is looking at the soon-to-be-vacated old Safeway building, more recently the Haggen grocery, as the place it can breathe free and grow. The Co-op built its present structure, between Pioneer and First streets, two decades ago but is now doing three times the business it did when it opened, said Co-op General Manager Emile Amarotico. No one foresaw its success and rapid growth, he adds. The giant market spot on Siskiyou Boulevard at Sherman Street is being vacated by Haggen Food in late November after it failed amid a takeover of many Safeways and Albertsons, then went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. “We’re trying to figure out how to expand, but the existing footprint is fast running out of space for it,” said Amarotico, “There’s nowhere to expand. Umpqua Bank (on the west) is not interested in selling. We’re interested in the (Safeway) real estate, and the board and I are monitoring it to see if it’s available for lease or buy.” The modern Co-op has a series of issues, he notes. Parking is virtually nonexistent most hours, with shoppers idling in cars, waiting for a spot to open. While checkers are efficient, the store needs more lanes to reduce waiting. The field of organic and “conscious” food has new products all the time, but there is no place to show them, he adds. The Safeway building boasts a central location, next to downtown, on the main drag, while the Co-op is tucked among small homes and narrow streets. However, he says, many customers find that charming. Word of the possible new home has raced through the community, with many “owners” (members) emailing and leaving suggestion notes “with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement because we might solve our parking issues.” The Co-op owns its present building free and clear, he says, giving it lots of leverage to buy the larger space. “What’s the Co-op going to look like in 20 years if we don’t do something?” Amarotico said. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 30, 2015 at 5:08 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501