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    Near East Side Cooperative Market Relocating to Parsons Avenue

    After a long search for a new home, the Near East Side Cooperative Market announced on Friday that it will be closing up shop at 1117 Oak Street this week to move just a couple of block west to 85 Parsons Avenue.

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    “We have been seeking a new location for several months now, and looked at this as a great opportunity to expand our reach, further engage the community while and take much needed steps to sustainability,” said Monique McCrystal, Board Chair of The Near East Side Cooperative Market. “That’s something all Co-Ops struggle with. The move will cut our rent in half, lowering our overhead, and will add major visibility.”

    The announcement is certainly good news for fans of The Near East Side Co-Op, which was on the brink of closure eight months ago. Members and supporters rallied together to keep the market afloat, and McCrystal says that the move will allow the market to reinforce its mission.

    “We want our community to know we aren’t just a place to get healthy food, we are also a place for community interaction, fellowship and education,” she stated. “We hope to create a space where all of the Near East Side community feels connected and believe that this will help us in making the co-op a long-term and viable business. Ultimately the co-op will only thrive if people shop.”

    While the new location on Parsons is a little bit smaller than the original store, the proximity to other businesses allows new partnerships to grow. Abnormal Allies, located across the street at 78 Parsons will house extra cooler space for the Co-Op and Upper Cup Coffee, located next door at 79 Parsons will partner for events and programming.

    “I’m a strong believer in the revitalization of Olde Towne East,” said Mike Habte, Owner of Upper Cup. “This community has stood by me as I established my business, and The Co-op moving onto Parsons will help the area continue to thrive.”

    The members of the Co-Op will begin the moving process on Thursday this week, which means that all perishable goods will be on sale while the business is packed up. The new Parsons location is slated to open in early Spring with an official grand opening date to be announced in the near future. A two-year construction project on Parsons Avenue is expected to begin this summer with the end goal of enhancing the streetscape in this commercial stretch of Olde Towne East.

    For more information, visit www.neareastsidecoop.org.

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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