BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — The Potsdam Food Co-Op’s long-planned construction project at its 24 Elm St. location recently took a big step forward.

The co-op board at its meeting in late May accepted the terms of the $1.659 million state Downtown Revitalization Grant it was awarded in 2021. And, on June 2 the grant was full executed and the contract between the co-op and the state took effect, announced general manager Jessie LaRose in a recent message to co-op members.

This is a big step for the local natural foods grocery that has been a mainstay in the village for decades.

The co-op originally applied for DRI funding through the village with the intent of relocating its operation to a storefront on Market Street, but the purchase negotiations fell through leading co-op leadership to opt for a new store construction at its current address.

The co-op received a $75,000 planning grant in 2024 from Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), which it used to engage Aubertine and Currier Architects and Engineers and National Co+op Grocers to develop a site plan for the new store. That plan was approved by the village and county planning boards.

“We also developed conceptual drawings of the new store which have really brought our vision to life! The new store will be built behind the current one, allowing us to continue operating through the construction period,” LaRose said.

The Carriage House bakery, now closed for several years, will be demolished to make way for the new building which will house both the store and commercial kitchen under one roof. Co-op leadership says the new building will make the operation more efficient and lower the store’s utility bills.

“Once the new building is complete, the old one will be demolished and we will develop a community garden and patio area at the front of our property. Although we are still working out the details, we will be more than doubling our available retail space, resulting in expanded store offerings, including produce and prepared foods,” LaRose told members.

The $1.659 million state DRI funding the co-op was awarded is a reimbursable grant for approved and completed project work, and the organization is in talks with cooperative lending partners to secure loans to pay for the upfront cost of the construction.

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