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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2016)
Readers’ Choice Awards BEST GROCERY STORE BEST BAKERY Astoria Co-op Grocery Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe Astoria, Oregon Runner-up: Fred Meyer, Warrenton Honorable Mention: Mainstreet Market, Warrenton By NANCY McCARTHY For 41 years, the communi- ty has called the Astoria Co-op Grocery its own, and winning the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Grocery Store only con- ¿rms locals’ affection for it, said Zetty Nemlowill, co-op market- ing director. More than 3,500 owners have purchased shares for $200, which can be paid in $25 annual increments. But anyone, whether they are own- ers or not, can shop at the co-op. “People really like great food, and we try to provide high-quality, fresh, natural food,” Nemlowill said. About 100 local vendors sup- ply the store with produce, meat, bread, pies and other goodies. “We try to work with as many producers and farmers as possible,” Nemlowill said. “We pick up our ¿sh from Born- stein’s (Seafood), and we do a lot of farm-direct purchases, so there is no middle man.” A grab and go deli offers from-scratch soups made with organic ingredients, sandwich- es, wraps and salads. The store is also involved in the community and hosts monthly Beers to Your Health lectures in partnership with Fort George Brewery. In addition, the co-op works with local charities through its “Beans for Bags” project. Every time a shopper brings a reusable bag, the co-op takes the nickel it would have spent on a bag and gives it to a local charity. A bean — representing the nickel — is given to the shopper, who can put it in one of three jars designated for the charities. For the ¿rst quarter of 201, those charities are The Harbor, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Astoria, Oregon Runner-up: Danish Maid Bakery, Astoria Honorable Mention: Cottage Bakery, Long Beach Photo by Nancy McCarthy Staff at the Astoria Co-op Grocery, led by general manager Matt Stanley, front, take pride in providing quality food, working with local farmers and giving back to the community. Health) and the Lunch Buddy Mentoring Program. With some private gro- cers increasingly focusing on organic foods, the co-op is facing more competition than ever. That’s why this year, the store is improving its pricing. As a member of the Nation- al Co-op Grocers, the Astoria Co-op has more buying power and can often beat the prices in larger stores, Nemlowill said. All pro¿ts stay in local hands, she noted. “They come back to the community.” Among the top projects in a ¿ve-year strategic plan re- cently adopted by the co-op’s board of directors is the store’s expansion. The board is still seeking a location, but the co- op has already raised $30,000 toward the project — $20,000 more than its original goal, and more fundraising efforts are in the works. “That level of support shows how eager the com- munity is to have the co-op around,” Nemlowill said. Astoria Co-op Grocery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 1355 Exchange St. A Gypsy’s Whimsy Herbal Apothecary T HANK YOU FOR VOTING US B EST G IFT S HOP ! Photo by Joshua Bessex The Cream Cheese Danish and mini Cardamom Almond Roll are just some of the choices available at Blue Scorcher Bakery and Cafe in Astoria. Order a fresh, organic, made-from- scratch pastry from the deli-style counter, then enjoy it with a cup of fairtrade, locally roasted coffee from Astoria Coffee Co. as you browse the Scorcher’s eclectic magazine se- lection or take in the view of the Columbia River from the historic Fort George building, located at 1493 Duane St. The worker-owned cooperative uses organic, often stoneground flours to bake several kinds of bread, including traditional French breads, naturally leav- ened hearth loaves, yeast-risen pan breads and enriched specialty loaves. Also enjoy sea- sonal breakfast and lunch plates from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. T hank you for voting us B est B arista 4 years in a row !! T HE PAST 14 YEARS HAVE BEEN MAGICAL , AND WOULDN ’ T HAVE BEEN THAT WAY WITHOUT YOU ! 348 12th Street Astoria OR 97103 503-325-4210 www.lucys-books.com queenofbooks@charter.net Thank you for voting for us! Local Organic Seasonal 1493 Duane Street bluescorcher.coop 503•338•7473 Open Tues T HRU sat 11-6 1139 Commercial Astoria 503-338-4871 1213 Com m ercia l St., A storia 5 03-325 -8265 T hank you fo r reco g n izin g u s fo r o u r u n iq u e flo ra l d esig n s a n d g ifts! 971 CO M M ER CIAL , ASTO R IA | 503-325-3571 BL O O M IN CR AZYF L O R AL .CO M January 28, 2016 | coastweekend.com | 11
