Archive for the ‘Co-op updates’ Category

Company Shops Market Buys Former Red Oak Brew Pub Fixtures

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Phil Bowers and the Sustainable Alamance crew return to the former Red Oak Brew Pub restaurant in Greensboro today. CSM has hired them to disassemble the kitchen equipment and cafe furnishings. The restaurant equipment will be stored at a warehouse in Burlington until the renovation work is completed on the Company Shops Market building. We hope to use the commercial kitchen equipment and restaurant furnishings at the co-op when we open this winter.

Sustainable Alamance disassembles restaurant fixtures at former Red Oak Brew Pub

Sustainable Alamance disassembles restaurant fixtures at former Red Oak Brew Pub for use at Company Shops Market Co-op in Burlington NC

We’re looking to hire a General Manager!

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Company Shops Market, Burlington, NC, is currently seeking a full time professional General Manager to open and operate our co-op natural foods grocery store, opening in early 2011. It is our intention to fill this position by mid September, 2010. Click here for more information

About Us: Company Shops Market is an organization created and developed by community members. We are working toward opening a full service natural foods grocery store and café that provides healthy locally produced foods. Until now, we have operated by volunteer effort; acquiring funding, finding new members, and creating systems to successfully open and operate our grocery. We are confident that our store will be opening by spring 2011. We are going to hire a professional and experienced general manager who will work with us to successfully open our store, and who will oversee the daily operation of the store upon opening.
The General Manager is given all authority and responsibility required to successfully operate the store.

Brief Job Description: We’re looking for a creative and flexible GM who can think outside-the-box to work with our diverse constituents (owners, owner-workers, paid staff, customers, Board of Directors and active committees) to make the most of the space we have and the resources available. The GM will be a leader who can develop our membership and focus energies on our mission to create “a place for people who value healthy food, a healthy planet, and cooperation.” Qualified candidates should have experience and success in leadership, grocery management, natural foods retail, computer skills, and a background in budget and finance. People and management skills are required.

Click Here for the Full Job Description (pdf)

Salary Range $55,000 -$60,000

To Apply: Submit a current resume, professional writing samples and cover letter by August 15th to gm@companyshopsmarket.coop. In your cover letter, please detail your experiences and qualifications, as described in the job description.

CSM on TV: Fox 8 News features “Ex-Convicts Working on Burlington Co-op Grocery”

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Company Shops Market was featured on Fox 8 News last night, in a piece titled “Ex-Convicts Working on Burlington Co-op Grocery”.

Company Shops Market Partners with Sustainable Alamance

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Co-op hires ex-convicts to deconstruct and salvage wooden ceiling

Sustainable Alamance began the hot, tiring and dirty task of removing the old wooden ceiling framework from The Company Shops Market building last week. We are thrilled to be partnering with Sustainable Alamance’s Prison Ministry, offering work and wages to Alamance County residents who are willing and eager to earn not only much needed wages but also to rebuild their lives and earn the trust of our community. See them at work on this little video and interview we taped last week

CSM in the News: “Program for ex-convicts partners with downtown co-op”

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

The Burlington Times News published an article on Company Shops Market’s decision to hire Sustainable Alamance to take down and salvage the old wooden ceiling framework in our building.  Here are a few quotes from the article. Read it in full on the Times-News Website.

“This was a perfect match for us,” said co-op board member Eric Henry. “Before the big work could be done by the contractors, this had to get done. Instead of bringing in a crew like what usually happens, we wanted to work with the community and give jobs to people who really need jobs the most.”

Phil Bowers, Sustainable Alamance director, says… Ex-convicts are often overlooked in unemployment figures and have a more difficult time than most people when looking for jobs….“We are trying to find the guys who really want out of the system,” Bowers said. “This demonstrates that there are men and women in that system who want out and they’re willing to work hard to do it. You see them on a job like this — that a lot of people wouldn’t do — and you know they’re hard workers.”

Thank you to Michael Abernathy of the Time-News for writing this article and spotlighting the good work of Phil Bowers and Sustainable Alamance.

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Update: In the opening frames of the video we posted on June 30th, you can see footage of Michael Abernathy of the Times News interviewing CSM board member Eric Henry.

Company Shops Market to receive $298,000 Main Street Solutions Fund Grant from the State of North Carolina

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

BIG NEWS: Governor Bev Perdue just announced that Company Shops Market will be a recipient of a $298k Main Street Solutions Fund Grant. The City of Burlington, Burlington Downtown Corp  and Company Shops Market have won $298,460 “for the sustainable retrofit (building shell improvements and interior building code improvements) of the market’s future location, 268 East Front St., in downtown Burlington”. Read the full press release on the Governor’s website

Boardmember Eric Henry says:  “This a game changer for our community and will push us over the finish line to get our co-op grocery store opened, but this still does not diminish the need for more owners and investors in order to reduce the amount we need to borrow from the bank. Thanks for everyone’s support!”

CSM owner Susan Kern says: “I want to offer thanks to all the folks on the board who have worked so hard for years on this. I am thrilled for you all AND for us!”

Sarah Cook, CSM’s Marketing & Communications Manager says: “I’m so excited my feet are dancing! You better dust off your hard hats because I think this means construction will be starting soon. A HUGE amount of work went on behind the scenes to put together this grant proposal and to take it through the decision process.  I feel a great big debt of gratitude for the efforts of Company Shops Market’s past and current board members, Anne Morris of the Burlington Downtown Corporation, and the many others I probably don’t even now about who pulled together to make this happen. Thank you. And thank you to Bev Perdue and the State of North Carolina for using the Main Street Solutions Fund to support locally-owned small businesses and to promote the revitalization of North Carolina’s historic small towns ”

Nate PerryNate Perry, CSM’s Marketing & Communications Co-Manager says:  “The hard work and focus of many has paid off! Congrats B-town and CSM!!!”

Preferred Shares Now Available

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The Time Is Now: Buy your preferred shares today

Are you ready for the grand opening of Company Shops Market? We are so close. Construction can begin just as soon as we sell $300,000 in preferred shares. With a little help from you, we can be open for business this year.

Invest in three simple steps:

  1. Review the Prospectus carefully.
  2. Complete and sign the Subscription Agreement.
  3. Mail the signed Subscription Agreement and your check to: Sharon Dent, Company Shops Market, Inc., Post Office Box 848, Burlington, NC 27216.

It’s that simple…. *For more information, visit our Become An Investor page

Company Shops Market Board Member Eric Henry

Boardmember Eric Henry says: “The paperwork is complete to buy preferred shares. We need to raise the final $300K to start the construction and open the store. If all of us, 1600 owners, bought the minimum $200 share we will have raised the funds. The time is now and we need your help. Let’s reconnect to our local agriculture!”

“Any of my North Carolina friends not join Company Shops Co-op yet? We have over 1,600 owners. We need your help to raise the final $300k and get the store open by this winter. Go to www.CompanyShopsMarket.coop/invest to get a preferred share subscription packet, invest as low as $200. Still got questions on why we need a co-op grocery store in downtown Burlington, give me a call, love to talk more. Thanks!”

Sharon Dent, Board President of Company Shops Market

Board president Sharon Dent says: “The investment documents for Preferred Shares are ready! Time for you to purchase your preferred shares now so that we can close on the loan and start construction!”

“We all want to see the market opened by the end of the year — and the Board would like to sign the commitment letter with Fidelity Bank for the $1.1 million loan in the next couple of weeks so that we can get started with the construction process.”

“In order to be prudent with investors’ money, the Board will only pull that trigger to start the process when we feel comfortable the $300,000 remaining in our $2.3 million project can be raised.  “

Video: Derek Steed – What are Preferred Shares?

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Derek Steed has been an invaluable partner to Company Shops Market, offering pro bono (free) business advise and legal work. In this video, Derek clearly and succinctly explains what preferred shares are and how they will work.

Thank you to Derek Steed and the Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman law firm for their continued support of Company Shops Market.

Video: Eric Henry’s Opening Speech @ 2010 Annual Owners Meeting

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

CSM in the News: “Downtown co-op gets loan, hopes for $300K state grant”

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Thank you to Michael Abernathy and the Burlington Times-News for spreading the good news.

We are just $300,000 away from starting construction on the Company Shops Market. That’s not so much when you consider that if every CSM Owner buys a $200 share of preferred stock, we will have all the funding we need to get started. – Sarah Cook

“Downtown co-op gets loan, hopes for $300K state grant”
Michael D. Abernethy / Times-News

Another step closer to a 2010 opening, the Company Shops Market will use a $1.1-million loan from Fidelity Bank towards construction of the store at 268 E. Front St.

The loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Before the cooperative grocery gets the loan, its members must raise a minimum of $800,000. The 1,608 members have raised $500,000 so far and need another $300,000 before the loan kicks in.

Members hope at least some of that $300,000 will appear in the form of a grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Read the full article on the front page of the Times-News or online at http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/loan-33035-grant-members.html