Downtown Co-op Store is Top Producer

The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op is off to a great start.
The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op in downtown is off to a great start.

An association of co-op grocers with about 150 members nationwide has recognized the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op outlet on Market Square in downtown Roanoke as showing the highest level of same-store sales growth in the first quarter of this year when compared to 2014.

Co-op marketing manager John Bryant admitted he was “surprised” when they received that news; Bryant says he gets to travel the country and has seen “some amazing co-ops out there. To be thought of at the top of that [list] – to say that our little store here in downtown Roanoke outperformed some amazing co-ops in the country percentage-wise, that was humbling and really felt great.”

The sales rise over a year ago was pegged at 35% by the co-op grocers association. “[We’re] proud of such a great number,” said Bryant. At this point the lunchtime crowd during the week, people “popping in for a sandwich,” is the prime reason for the growth; while in the store “they are also learning about co-op products…local honey and coconut water [for example]. Things that you don’t find at other places.”

Downtown residents are also finding their way to the co-op – some drag in wagons and do their grocery shopping there. “It’s definitely a neighborhood feel even though it’s right in downtown Roanoke,” said Bryant, who thinks there is still “a ton of growth potential for the downtown store,” which was hampered in its early days by construction in the Market Plaza area. “Especially as downtown residency grows and as the construction around this area finishes up.”

With Norfolk Southern leaving its downtown office building by the end of the year and the new Hampton Inn and Suites slated to open in November, Bryant said that growth potential is a bit of a wild card. “We’re just happy to be down here to continue to provide great natural and organic foods at the co-op.”

By Gene Marrano

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