Food co-op signs letter of intent to open in downtown Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — For over 10 years, Electric City Community Grocery has been working to open a community-owned grocery store in Schenectady. That store is coming closer to fruition as the Co-op has signed a letter of intent with Civco Realty Corporation for over 12,000 square feet of first floor space at 251 and 267 State Street.

“Opening a successful community-owned grocery at this site is a complex endeavor,” said Eric Johnson, Board President of the Co-op. “Today, we have the right team in place to get to the finish line including C2 Design for Architecture, National Co+op Grocers, Civco Realty Corporation, the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, Metroplex, and nearly 1,100 engaged community members. We are confident that the lease agreement will be finalized in the very near future and construction will commence.”

Electric City Community Grocery was founded in 2013 as the Electric City Food Cooperative, Inc. While gaining support from the community as “member-owners,” the Co-op has been having pop-ups at the Schenectady Greenmarket and other local events.

In its partnership with National Co+op Grocers, Electric City will get support in store development, design, and operations of the new Co-op. National Co+op Grocers represents 164 food co-ops in 39 states, and helped with Honest Weight Food Co-op’s expansion project in Albany in 2013.

According to the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, the Co-op has now met all pre-contract requirements for the $1 million ARPA funding from the City of Schenectady. The funding will be used toward renovating the new Co-op space. Schenectady County has also pledged $3 million for the project.

Electric City Community Grocery is working to secure more funding to help open the Co-op on State Street through capital campaigns, investment opportunities and community and corporate sponsorships. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can visit the Electric City Community Grocery website .

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