Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What about having a Farmer’s Market in the parking lot?

This is a great idea! Earlier in the summer, previous Board members reached out to their connections in the farmer’s market community to gauge their interest in stopping by one day a week.
Unfortunately, due to the dry summer, they just didn’t have much produce to go around and adding another day to their already busy schedule was not an advantageous return on investment.
Our goal is always a win-win for Food Front and our partners, so understand why it didn’t make sense to fit us into their summer plans.
Including ‘tenant improvements’, it also created financial challenges for the co-op and would not solve long-term issues facing the store.

Can we open a Providore type of store in the space?

Another innovative idea! We did reach out to Providore to find out more about their business model and while Providore is successful and has a beautifully curated selection for refined produce and products, it was not a financially viable option for our members.
Providore has many distinct differences from Food Front. It stocks mostly high-end imported specialties and costs would be higher than many of our coop members and neighbors are used to. In addition, a major remodel and expert General Manager would be required.

How about a James Beard Portland Public Market type of market?

We engaged with a number of purveyors over the last few months, some who were interested in leasing the space and others who were interested in buying.
Unfortunately, none of them were able to generate enough capital to lease or buy. So, even though they would have made for ideal partners because they were in the grocery space, it wasn’t financially feasible for them.
For Food Front to transform into this type of space, there would be significant renovation work to the inside and outside of the building, requiring time, architects, consultants, and a substantial loan to see that vision become reality. Unfortunately, it is a much larger undertaking given our financial situation and expertise available.

Can you rent the parking lot to Food Trucks to use the space?

This is also an inventive idea and a great way to activate the space while the store is closed.
However, it requires more immediate and intense resources than the Board is able to provide. For example, there would need to be a ‘property manager’ of sorts to make sure the temporary tenants have what they need on a day-to-day basis. It also creates security and insurance liability issues by having outside vendors gain access to the space.
Additionally, the co-op does not have the resources to provide any modifications or renovations to the space that may have been required to have vendors feel comfortable operating on the lot.

What about having “pop up shops” or a temporary “food court” inside?

Again, a great idea! However, as noted in other questions, this option would still require funds and renovations (aka. tenant improvements) so vendors have space that works for their businesses. It also requires site management, security, and creates insurance risks, which are significant costs at a time when Food Front is lacking resources.
We wish we could activate the space and bring in entrepreneurs and start-ups, as this is very much in line with our community vision. However, it is a much larger investment of time, money, and expertise than we have at the moment.

I don’t think you should take out loans, just file for bankruptcy.

When it closed, Food Front owed about $300,000 to local farmers, vendors, and makers. We need to settle our debts to help them stay in business and avoid lawsuits, too. They have been very patient to not send us to collections or sue us yet.
The building is collateral for about $300,000 in bank loans. We don’t want to be forced to sell in a fire sale foreclosure to a low bid, because developer valuations vary widely from around $2-4 million.
To maximize value to members and give them a chance to vote on the best ideas, we are taking a few weeks to settle all our debts and review multiple bids and ideas. We still need to move fast and need to have a plan in the next 45 days for the future of Food Front.

Is the Board partnering with a Developer to build condos on the corner?

This is another interesting idea the board has explored. We want to maintain the spirit of the coop, ideally with a new Food Front in the building. Having a grocery store on the property has always been the first priority, followed by partnering with like-minded folks, whether through a sale or development. But it has never been the first choice to sell directly to a developer who has the intent of building a large apartment or condo complex on the site. Ultimately, though, it will be up to members to decide.
In addition, a new building will take (at minimum, given permitting, financing, architecture and engineering plans) a few years to design and build, and is not a task for a volunteer board.
This idea will be among those presented to members in November for a vote.

How is the Board engaging with members who have property development ideas?

Members have been very generous with their time and ideas. Several ideas like those above are currently being vetted to determine the pragmatic challenges and opportunities of each.
Please share your ideas right away (see below email and questions) because we want to present them to members soon.

What if my idea isn’t one included in the questions above?