After years of exploring alternative sites in downtown Greenfield for Green Fields Market, we have signed a purchase and sale for the expansion and relocation of the market to the historic Wilson’s Building. The Community Builders (TCB) and Mass Development, brought together by the City of Greenfield, have agreed to purchase and redevelop Wilson’s building. As part of this agreement, FCC’s expansion will relocate Green Fields Market to the first floor and basement of Wilson’s Building, a legacy downtown landmark. The redevelopment of the building will also create approximately 65 mixed-income rental homes for families. Our closing is estimated to be in October 2023 with construction in the co-op space in Wilson’s projected to start in 2023/ 2024 with residential construction starting in 2025/ 2026.
The relocation and expansion of Green Fields Market will allow our food co-op to better serve a broader and more diverse segment of the community, increase local and organic sales and jobs, and continue to invest in our local, sustainable food system.
The expansion will increase staff workspace and early estimates indicate our sales floor will almost double in size. This will allow us to bring in more products at a wider range of price points for all of our customers. With our current sales floor, we are not able to support the growth in sales volume needed to sustain operations. Our expanded market will include a larger produce department, wellness and general merchandise, and full-service departments for bakery, deli, seafood, and meat. The new location will have a larger, onsite community room that can be reserved for community gatherings, workshops and events. The renovation will also include modern upgrades to ensure that the co-op is universally accessible to all in the community.
We’re Proud of Our Co-op!
With over 5,000 members, 94 employees, and $11M in annual sales, our two vibrant stores already make a big impact in our region. Our co-op was organized around the premise of bringing natural, alternative food options to the community. It is due to the hard work and commitment of so many member-owners that we have grown to where we are today. This expansion and relocation allows us to build on the work already done to continue to enrich our community. These values will continue to help shape our co-op, our community, and the future of downtown Greenfield.
We Love Local. FCC supports over 220 local producers, including 40 local farms, and generates over $2M in local sales annually.
We Create Jobs Here. We are an anchor in our business community as a major local employer and business partner. Over 92% of our employees live in Franklin County, the community where they work.
Our Members Make a Difference. Our working-members volunteered over 2,300 hours of their time in the first six months of 2022. They volunteer in community gardens and orchards, at local nonprofit organizations, and at the co-op through board and committee work. They make an impact in our community every day.
Healthy Food For All. Addressing food security is at the heart of what we do. Over 10% of our members receive food assistance, and we have several programs in place to help keep our market accessible to our community, including $3 monthly equity payments and the Food for All 10% discount program.
What’s Next?
Now that the purchase & sale agreement for the first floor and basement has been signed with a projected closing of October 2023, we are planning member forums where we will share more information as soon as it becomes available. We need your input! We are looking forward to engaging with all of our members, stakeholders, and community and getting your input on the next steps, building plans, financing, and more as we are able.
We recognize the incredible legacy of this unique downtown landmark, and look forward to exploring how we might best develop it to continue to reflect the incredible community that has supported both Wilson’s and the Franklin Community Co-op.
Please reach out to John Williams, General Manager, with any questions by phone 413-325-8808 or email at john.williams@franklincommunity.coop.
OUR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
About The Community Builders
The Community Builders’ mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive. Our mission-driven businesses work with partners to develop, finance and operate residential communities, neighborhood amenities and opportunity programs for families, seniors and adults with disabilities. Since 1964, we have advanced housing equity through award winning affordable and mixed-income communities and our pioneering Community Life model for resident success. Today, our ownership and management portfolio include over 14,000 apartment homes. Anchored by offices in Boston, Chicago, Columbus, New York and Washington D.C., we operate across 15 states.
About MassDevelopment
MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.