By Anthea Passmore
Buffalo, NY – The new Lexington Co-op store on Elmwood Avenue had its official opening Thursday. Mayor Anthony Masiello joined co-op directors and other city representatives in cutting the ribbon.
The Lexington Co-op has provided its members and the community with fresh produce and organic groceries for the past 30 years. Over the last six years the Co-op has doubled its sales volume.
A partnership between the Co-op and the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation in fundraising efforts resulted in a move and a larger home for the store. J.D Hartman, president of the Board of Directors, said the decision to move from its Lexington Avenue address was not an easy one.
"The other store was near and dear to my heart," Hartman said. "It was your classic corner store. We owned and operated that business for a long time. A lot of people met their neighbors and friends there. So, in one way, it's bittersweet that we've moved to this much larger facility that we now own."
The new store, like the old, carries an abundance of locally grown and locally produced products. Mowgli Gillogly an employee at the Co-op explained some of the other advantages of a larger store.
"It's the sheer size. We're now carrying so much more product," Gillogly said. "It's great to see more people learning about the Co-op because of its presence on Elmwood."
Jonathan Golove a customer at the Co-op said he had managed to find something that he hasn't been able to find at larger supermarkets.
"They had just exactly what I wanted," Golove said. "They had ripe peaches."
Opening celebrations continue this week with a wine and cheese tasting Friday evening and cookie decorating on Saturday.