Newsroom

Expansion

New Leaf Market is expanding and renovating! Track our exciting progress through on-line updates, slide shows and more.

Coming soon:

• Largest selection of organic produce in town
• Tallahassee's first natural and organic meat & seafood department
• Wider groceries aisles with more variety than ever before
• Double the wine selection
• New and improved deli selections including panini sandwiches

Join now and become part owner of the only natural foods cooperative in the Big Bend. If you are already an owner please consider making an owner loan.

Commonly Asked Expansion Questions

Q. Where is New Leaf Market expanding?
A. We will be expanding into Crystal Connection's old space (approximately 4,500 sq ft.-50% more space). Crystal Connection has moved back to their favorite location near the Olive Garden.

Q. You kicked out Crystal Connection?
A. No, Crystal Connection had a lease until 2011. New Leaf Market and Crystal Connection worked together with our property manager, Talcor, on a plan that benefited both businesses. We are very grateful that Crystal Connection chose to move when they did and are glad that we are still neighbors.

Q. What are you going to do about the incense smell?
A. The entire space that was Crystal Connection will be gutted-walls, ceiling panels, carpet, etc. We are confident that once everything has been replace that the incense smell will no longer be a concern.

Q. So, what is expanding?
A. This project is both an expansion AND a renovation. The entire store will have new flooring, new fixtures, new signage and a new layout. Packaged grocery, frozen & refrigerated, beer & wine, body care and produce will expand. The aisles will be widened to allow carts to pass one another and two more registers will be added to make a total of six. We will add a fresh meat & seafood department and increase deli services. Behind the scenes, new prep areas and coolers will be added. A larger meeting room will be created along with a small employee break room.

Q. How much is all of this going to cost?
A. We estimate that the expansion/renovation project will cost approximately $3.1 million.

Q. Wow! That is a lot of money. Is New Leaf Market getting a loan for that whole amount?
A. No, New Leaf Market is relying on several forms of income for the project. Cash reserves, equity (new owners), a bank loan and owner loans will all help pay for the expansion/renovation project.

Q. So, how much is New Leaf Market borrowing from a bank?
A. $1.6 million over 10 years from the National Co-op Bank.

Q. Will the expansion affect patronage rebates?
A. Yes. The expansion will affect our bottom line for several years. We expect that for a period of time that there will be no profit to return, or very little at best.

Q. When will construction begin?
A.Construction began in late December 2007 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2008.

Q. Will the store be closed during construction?
A. No, the store will remain open throughout construction, however certain departments may experience temporary closures or inconveniences.

Q. Will the new store be environmentally-friendly?
A. The management is committed to building the greenest store possible within the construction budget. The biggest environmental impact will be increasing the energy efficiency of the new building through updating equipment, better insulating the structure and building an entrance with a foyer, which will allow us to better control the temperature of the store.

Q. When will construction be complete?
A.The first of three phases of construction is scheduled to be completed by April 2008. The entire project is expected to be completed later in the summer.