Whole natural local foods have been gaining popularity the past few years with a push away from genetically modified organisms and chemically enhanced food. The Co-op in downtown Stillwater is a great place to find such things, like fresh locally grown fruits and other assortments of delicious oddities not likely found at big stores like Cub.

The Stillwater River Market Community Co-op has strived to keep it local, organic and naturally raised since it opened in 2000. To maintain its earth-friendly practices and ever growing local product selection, the River Market is in the process of remodeling in hopes of creating a bigger, more efficient and more community-friendly store.

As the store has continued to expand in both the amount of local products it sells and customers it serves, things have become a bit cramped.

“This is our first major remodel project since moving downtown Stillwater. Our bulk bins were used at that time, as was much of the other equipment. We knew it was time to re-invest money in the store,” Co-op marketing manager Andre Bessette explained. “We also have a lot of lunch-time business, and so expanding the deli was a natural choice – we will have a salad bar and some hot options.”

Planning for this project began several years ago, but official construction commenced with the back offices of the store at the end of April 2013. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late July or early August of 2014.

“We will be getting all new cases, shelves, freezers – essentially all the equipment in the store will be new and much more energy efficient. We are installing all new lighting, that will reduce our wattage usage by 33 percent. The deli will have an all new kitchen added, the front end will get all new checkstands for the registers. Every part of the store will see an improvement in one form or another,” added Bassette.

The $250,000 project will take place in a two-phased process funded mostly by the stores unique shareholder style owners.

“Our owners are funding a large portion of the project through investments in c-shares. This is a unique investment opportunity open only to our 4,500 owners. The rest of the funding will be through a local bank,” explained Bassette.

There is still a lot to be done and many wrinkles to be smoothed out before the Co-op is finished with renovations. Hopefully the changes to the store will allow for greater customer service and support from the community, helping the store continue to keep it local, organic and free raised.