I wanted to recap all the messaging that has been sent out about the 7th and Main Site. Below you will find the email that was sent to all member-owners on Monday, March 7th. The week of March 14th Board Member, Christine Sexton, recorded a video that was shared on social media. You can find it on our YouTube channel. March 21st member-owners received another email with the video link and an invite to our Q & A session on March 23rd. We had a great Q & A session and great questions were asked.
If you didn’t see your member-owner emails, please check your spam and promotions folder! The email comes from Mailchimp and this is the best way for us to update all member-owners.
Here are a few questions and answers from the Q & A.
Question: Will we continue to explore downtown Cedar Falls for a site?
Answer: Yes. Our market study shows downtown Cedar Falls is the best location for a successful Co-op. We will continue to explore potential sites there until we have exhausted all options.
Question: Will we move the Rooted Carrot sign from 7th and Main?
Answer: Yes, we are working on a plan. It is a very heavy sign.
Question: Do we have other site options right now?
Answer: Yes, the site team is currently vetting another site right now.
Please reach out to us at info@rootedcarrot.coop if you have any questions!
Jodie Huegerich,
Board President
March 7th email to member-owners:
On Wednesday March 2, the Rooted Carrot’s Board of Directors made a unanimous vote regarding the Co-op’s future site.
As you know, we’ve been working diligently with a developer who was seeking approval from the City for a new building to house the Co-op at the corner of 7th and Main Streets in Cedar Falls. As we have reported before, the building approval process changed this past fall when the City of Cedar Falls adopted a new downtown-specific building code.
The Co-op and the developer were made aware of these changes in the summer and were invited to either beat the code change by updating a then-current rendering OR submit a rendering that met the new code after the new code was in place. The developer did the former: successfully submitted an updated site rendering prior to adoption of the new code. Unfortunately, after it was submitted the City said that they would not review it and indicated the new code would need to be met in order for plan review by the City.
The Co-op and developer pivoted and sought out all possible solutions to meet the new building requirements. However, after careful and thorough review, and numerous conversations with stakeholders, we have concluded that this site will no longer support the Co-op’s requirements for a fiscally-responsible solution. (Learn more of the ‘why’ through an informational video or by attending the Q&A session, details on both of those below.)
As a result, we have determined it is best to move away from this site. The board and many other volunteers have invested countless hours in this project and we are both disappointed and saddened by the outcome. We know many of you are feeling this as well.
Though upsetting, we know from other start-up food co-ops that changing sites during the development phase is not unusual. Assabet Co-op Market, East Aurora Co-op Market, and River Valley Co-op (read their story here) are just some examples of food co-ops that had to switch locations during their fundraising stage. We are dedicated to finding a site in the downtown area that will fit within the new building codes and that will be as good as–or better!–than the site at 7th and Main. In fact, we are vetting a new site right now. We will be working with the City, developer, and architects over the coming months to verify that this potential site meets the Co-ops needs. We are cautiously optimistic and hope to be able to provide you details soon!
New co-op development is a long road full of ups and downs and this journey is only made possible with the support from member-owners like you! We will continue to move forward, making careful decisions to ensure our Rooted Carrot Co-op Market not only opens its doors, but is a strong presence in our community for decades to come.
For more information and the opportunity to ask questions, please watch the informational video which will be posted to social media on March 14. That video will detail the date and time of the subsequent zoom Q&A, which will likely be held the week of March 21st.
As always, thank you for staying tuned in to YOUR co-op and for your investment in this process. We are grateful for this community!
In cooperation,
Rooted Carrot Co-op Board of Directors