Building Conservation friend Alane Hohenburg's latest project is the development of the Troy Community Food Cooperative in the former Pioneer Food Market on Congress Street in downtown Troy. Alane and her husband Paul completed a major rehabilitation project at a house on historic Second Street several years ago. Building conservation faculty and students followed the project closely, and have enjoyed several fall opening parties at the Hohenburg home.
Alane has successfully purchased the former market building and, with a small group of organizers, is now moving forward with architectural plans, fundraising, and membership organization development. As in many downtowns, Troy has for several years lacked a grocery store, and this project will fill that gap. This is truly a grass-roots community development project, with Alane's organizing group including Pottery District homeowner and Russell Sage professor Cheryl MacNeil, Washington Park Association president Lynn Kopka, commercial realtor and former executive director of Troy Rehabilitation & Improvement Program Barbara Jones Higbee, Washington Park homeowner and Market Block Books employee Mary Muller, and Kevin Blodgett, who owns several historic commercial buildings in downtown Troy.
Market Block Books, another great preservation story which we'll save for another post, is Troy's fantastic independent bookseller.
The mission of the Troy Community Food Co-op is "to provide wholesome food at affordable prices in a cooperatively owned grocery store. The Co-op will support local agriculture, stimulate community revitalization and be a collaborative community partner."
The Troy Community Food Cooperative will be owned by member-investors, and this is your chance to get involved. Dues are $140 (Founding Member/Investor Level, with an annual renewal rate of $35); $30 WIC; and $30 for students with valid ID. Quarterly payments may also be made. All dues payments should be sent to Troy Community Food Cooperative, PO Box 402, Troy, New York, 12181. Visit the Coop on the web at www.troyfoodcoop.com or join the Yahoo group for email updates at groups.yahoo.com/group/troyfoodcoop.
In addition to becoming a founding member, there are many ways to get involved and this will be a fascinating project. For more information, email market organizers at info@troyfoodcoop.com.
