We used to belong to a co-op many years ago. The way a co-op works is an individual pays a small fee to belong. There is a list of foods/items available and the order is placed. When the items arrive at a specified location the members pick up the items. There is a designated person in charge that receives the shipment then makes sure the items are distributed as ordered. It sounds like what everyone is talking about is another bulk items health food store. It would be a great idea especially with some organic products.

Pike's Place is cool - but what Fresno Really Needs is a THEMED (railroad or country or cowboy or etc) Freighthouse Square.

It would be easier to do than a Pike's Place - of course they could upgrade Fulton Mall and make it more user friendly - But an upscale, themed Freighthouse Square would be the way to go!

www.FreighthouseSquare.com - if you want to check it out.

Amy

I heartily agree. I would love to do all of my business south of McKinley... and frankly, the Albertson's on Clinton and Blackstone that currently is the closest option to Tower/Downtown ain't cuttin' it. I would wholeheartedly get behind whatever market idea happens downtown.

Also check out:
http://www.portlandmarket.com/main/home.html
http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/

Joe's right...Kern is cool, let's keep making it cooler

Thanks for the Pikes link. Looks like a great set-up. We definitely have the edge on available, diverse varietials of fresh produce. We could get fresh fish from the coast in less than 3 hours. How to keep the smells in check for those not so hip to the scents of the ocean crowd ;)Perhaps let Fresno Fish continue to handle the seafood piece

The big question: If we build it, will they come ?

Oh, you're right it already is the coolest stretch of Downtown, but a world class indoor market in the old Gottschalks building would just take it to another level of coolness! Some people will say "oh, we already have farmer's markets". Yeah, we do. But they're not anything you'd put on a postcard and send to your family in Scranton to show them how great Fresno is.

http://www.east-end-food.coop/

http://www.bozo.coop/

http://www.northcoastco-op.com/

http://www.peoples.coop/

Craig
What is an authentic community?

I think that Fresno should have the best farmers' markets, public market (i.e., Pikes Place) and community gardens in the world! Why do these other places with more limited types of crops and limited growing seasons beat us? Beats me.

Craig
What is an authentic community?

I would argue that Kern St IS the coolest place in Downtown already and injects the Fulton Mall perfectly...the co-op would just make it cooler.

I may be confused here...Is the co-op location going to be near the Vagabond Lofts, or is this the Old Gottchalks Building concept revisited ?

At the FPT launch last week the only thing that was missing was a sign on the Gotts Building reading, "Coming Soon...a Sharton Production" ;)

I think Fresno should develop something like this:
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

I think all right thinking people in this country...sorry...that is what naturaly follows the the words 'I think' in my demented little head...

I think that a co-op is a great idea as long as it moves away from the flea market feel that is the Fulton Mall and surrounding area, and actually has packaged goods as well. That area already has a local farmers market on Fulton and a fresh produce market in Chinatown. My belief is that the next installation needs to be a green grocer like a Trader Joes; Wild Oats etc. Something to service the residents with high quality consumables, and something that might keep those workers Downtown after 5 for a bit to handle their food shopping and carouse with the Locals.

More open markets, if the market can sustain them, are a great 'and' to an actual full-on green grocer...final answer Merideth ;)

Any progress on THIS front? Kern Street would be by far the coolest place in all of Downtown if a project like that could be pulled off.