7A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
Photos by Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian
Dancers entertain the crowd in the Astoria Event Center on Saturday during the Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
Celebration: ‘We’re showing our support’
Continued from Page 1A
our culture and show that we’re here. We
need to remember our heritage, and just
remember who we are.”
Earlier in the day, several dozen peo-
ple associated with Indivisible North
Coast Oregon and other regional activ-
ist groups rallied in support of Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals near the
Astoria post office. The program, which is
being rescinded by the Trump administra-
tion, allowed about 800,000 immigrants
who were brought to the United States as
children to remain in the country.
Indivisible also hosted an “Immigra-
tion 101” training session led by the Rural
Organizing Project before the heritage
celebration. Presenter Keyla Almazan
talked about national and statewide issues
around immigration and documentation,
as well as ways citizens can help and
advocate for undocumented members of
their community.
Laurie Caplan, a co-leader of the Indi-
visible group based in Astoria, said it
made sense to hold these events on the
same day as the cultural celebration.
“We’re showing our support,” she said.
LEFT: Supporters of DACA get the thumbs up from a driver during a rally Saturday in downtown Astoria to coincide with
the Hispanic Heritage Celebration held at the Astoria Event Center. RIGHT: Valencio Gomez entertains the crowd at the
Astoria Event Center on Saturday.
Several teachers picked up signs and
joined Indivisible at the rally.
“I see the faces of the kids who
are afraid,” said Lisa Barile, a teacher
who lives in South Bend, Washing-
ton. She traveled to the rally because,
beyond the classroom, she is seeing first-
hand the fear in her community. In the
past several months, ICE has made a
number of arrests on the Long Beach
Peninsula and around Willapa Bay,
where many immigrant and migrant
families find employment in the
seafood processing and oyster farming
industries.
“I’m here to support my students and
people like them,” said Jenni Newton, an
Astoria High School teacher. She partici-
pates in activism like the rally when she
can, aware that she is setting an example
to her students.
“I want to show them there’s a peace-
ful way to be heard, and that I’m out here
for them.”
‘I WANT TO SHOW THEM THERE’S A PEACEFUL WAY TO BE HEARD,
AND THAT I’M OUT HERE FOR THEM.’
Jenni Newton | Astoria High School teacher who participates in activism like the rally when she can
Astoria
Co-op Grocery
is planning a
new $8 million,
12,000-square-
foot location at
23rd Street and
Marine Drive.
Astoria Co-op
Grocery
Edward Stratton/The Daily Astorian
Schwietert’s Candy & Cones is planning to build a candy store and chocolate-making
space in the Fisher Bros. building at 12th Street and Marine Drive.
Schwietert’s: Company will use kitchen
to supply locations around the North Coast
Continued from Page 1A
The building’s storefront
has been largely vacant for
more than a year since the
departure of former owner
Norm Stutznegger and his
company, Pacific Coast Med-
ical Supply. Built in 1924,
it was the former home of
Fisher Bros., a marine supply
store. The third floor is still
used for office tenants Schwi-
etert said would stay.
Besides a new coat of paint
and signage outside, much of
the work will involve restor-
ing the first floor to its histor-
ical look for the candy store,
Schwietert said.
“The floors will be open,
and you’ll be able to see into
the building.”
On the second floor will
be offices and a choco-
late kitchen, complete with
a viewing area. Schwietert
will use the kitchen to sup-
ply locations in Rockaway
Beach, Manzanita, Cannon
Beach and Seaside.
“We are investing in some
very large pieces of equip-
ment, just to improve how
quickly we can make our
chocolates,” Schwietert said.
“Because right now, we
can’t keep up with four
stores.”
Astoria Co-op: ‘I think of investing in the
co-op as truly investing in your community’
Continued from Page 1A
Astor Venture LLC at the cor-
ner of Marine Drive and 23rd
Street for a new store at a cost
of about $8 million. About half
the money would come from
Astor Venture, and the other
half from the co-op.
A stipulation of the lease
with Astor Venture is raising at
least $1.5 million from mem-
ber-owners by the end of the
year, although the co-op hopes
to reach $2.5 million, Stanley
said. The fundraising drive had
$430,000 in the bank when it
kicked off Sunday.
The co-op is selling 25,000
shares worth $100 each, with
a minimum investment of
$2,500. Investors receive a 3
percent annual dividend on
investments up to $10,000,
and 4 percent for larger
investments.
The store employs about
28 people with a payroll
of $800,000, Stanley said.
Employment is expected to
climb to more than 60 at the
new location.
“We’re probably looking at
65 people to open this,” Stan-
ley said.
The co-op has touted the
benefits of expansion, from
offering more space for shop-
pers and a loading dock to
take in supplies to being more
competitive on pricing and
expanding selection. Part of
the expansion will be in local
offerings. The co-op works
with about 30 coastal food pro-
ducers, Stanley said.
“I think of investing in the
co-op as truly investing in
your community,” Teresa Ret-
zlaff, owner of 46 North Farm
and a supplier of produce to
the co-op, said in a promo-
tional video for the capital
campaign. “You’re investing
in me as a farmer and you’re
investing in my business
too. You’re investing in all
these small local food pro-
ducers. For us, that’s so
meaningful.”