++++++++New Store News 8/3/08+++++++++

*** Apologies for the late posting of this information, folks have been out of town on vacation and we're just learning how to use the blog.

Check our latest postings at honestweight.coop. The facilities info will be under “What’s New at the Co-op”.

What’s new this week:

Building Green:
LEED certification: We completed a two-meeting LEED charette, which is a time devoted exclusively with the architects and engineers and customer to discuss which of the criteria we can meet. We have determined that we will easily achieve certification, and if each one of our maybes can become a yes (this depends on how the construction and our funding unfolds….) we may be able to achieve a GOLD rating. Platinum may not be completely out of the question, but it would be a stretch. Remember the mantra: we will strive for the highest energy efficiency and most sustainable practices we can afford, and we will not lose sight of our mission.

Design:
A schematic design was presented and met with strong support from the facilities committee and the CMT (Collective Management Team). We made a list of issues we wanted addressed and 3t (our architectural firm) is working on incorporating them and presenting a second draft next week. Our store is going to be fantastic, and not only that, but it will reflect our collective values, provide educational space, efficient product management, etc. The schematic design will change as we engage in our discussions, but we will be presenting it at a meeting for the membership on August 17 at FUUSA. You’ll be receiving a postcard with the details shortly, so save the date!

Our Cooperative Development Services consultant, PJ Hoffman, has been reviewing our programming and equipment planning for each department.

Membership Matters:
During the month of August we will be holding a membership drive, for several reasons. The first is that what we have is great, and our mission is to introduce new people to share in it. Other reasons: many people are not aware that our economic structure is cooperative and that they can also own it; we desire to keep our investment local and the more folks who own a piece of it, the stronger we will be; we’d like to broaden our support base before moving into a larger store, and over 60 percent of our customers are not members.

Funding:
Our loan task force is putting the finishing touches on the loan materials for your review. Other co-ops have had great success borrowing money from their shareholders. It puts us in a better position with the larger lending institutions because it’s a concrete way to measure your support. We hope you can make a generous loan.

What’s on the schedule next for owners?

> Come to an informational meeting on August 17, where 3t architects will present the schematic design. The facilities committee will also be in attendance to clarify any questions you might have.

Reaching us….
> Email Cindee Lolik at cindee@honestweight.coop or Lynne Lekakis at kandL@capital.net with suggestions or concerns. Drop thoughts in the project suggestion box in the front of the store under the project time line and posted news.


More soon. –The Facilities Committee