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