Courtesy photo
Ozark Natural Foods is now open at its new location on College Avenue and Lafayette Street near downtown Fayetteville.
The store opened to shoppers at noon today (June 1). Officials said the store’s new taproom, featuring Onyx coffee and local beers, should be open within a week. The outdoor covered patio is expected to be complete on June 9, and alcohol sales should be available by mid-June.
The new Co-Op has an expanded kitchen and convenience meal offerings, and a larger Homestead department, according to a news release.
Several sustainability efforts were incorporated into the new store, including LED lighting throughout, solar lighting tubes, and a hot water reclamation system on the refrigeration rack.
Co-Op officials hope to have a grand opening celebration with music, local vendors and food, but will continue to follow suit with CDC recommendations and plan accordingly, the release stated. The celebration will ideally be held in conjunction with the Annual Owners Meeting on Sept. 13 where the owners will elect three members for the Board of Directors.
Pickup and delivery options will soon be announced through Mercato, an eCommerce platform focused on helping co-ops and independent grocers sell groceries online.
Local architects Modus Studio designed the new space at 380 N. College Ave., which is the former home of CV’s Family Foods, Saver’s Club, and IGA. Nabholz Construction led the renovation work, while BLKBOX handled the shopper experience and dining atmosphere.
The co-op purchased the building for $3.6 million from the Hubert Charles Agee, JR Revokable Trust last October. The store closed at its former location in Evelyn Hills Shopping center on May 22 in preparation for the move, which was assisted by food distributors UNFI and NCG (a co-op support network).
The Co-Op has been community owned since 1971 and currently has approximately 11,000 members, but everyone is welcome to shop.
