Happy Birthday Weaver Street Market!: The Beet, Weaver Street's E-Newsletter

Link to Weaver Street Market's Home Page

Happy Birthday
Weaver Street Market!
by Marilyn Butler, SV WSM Store Manager
WSM Founding Member
June 21, 1988 Weaver Street Market opened its doors. I think back to a year or so before that— I was 33, my hair was still brown, and I was taking it easy after 10 years of community and women's rights organizing. "Your vision is intriguing, but I only want to work part-time" is the gist of what I told Ruffin Slater, then manager of the Durham Food Co-op, where I was a volunteer and board member. The vision was a full service and profitable natural foods store combined with co-op ownership split between the consumers and the workers. More

Scrap Exchange at SV
After Hours
Jazz Brunch
Celebrate July 4th
Community Non-Profit Day
Movies on the Green

Eat Local Triangle
National Pollinators Week

WSM Board Meeting

Farm Dinner Tonight!

Weekly Produce Specials
Weekly Meat Specials

Stony Knoll Vineyard Special




Happy Birthday Weaver Street Market! continued
Since Durham had Wellspring (one of our models), we would open in Chapel Hill or Carrboro where there was no longer a co-op or natural foods store. Now I'm "the silver haired lady," and we're still working at and even expanding our original vision. People frequently ask if I ever imagined that Weaver Street would become what it is today. No, because I couldn't know the exact form it would take; the co-op's evolution has been driven by the desires of our owners and customers, as well as dramatic changes in the world of food. But in many other ways, what we do now and what we did then are just the same: serve our customers and community, one person, one day at a time. The last 19 years are a history of negotiating the path of change in order to stay vital and relevant, while staying grounded in who we are and continuing to do what we do best. I've been remembering how Weaver Street got where it is today because we are once again in a time of transition—opening our third store and creating the "Food House" commissary in Hillsborough. This will be the first expansion into another area (at 3 miles' distance, I consider the Southern Village and Carrboro stores to be in the same area, although many employees do not), and the painful reality is that some staff members' lives will be disrupted by the move. To stay at Weaver Street Market, they are faced with traveling to Hillsborough to keep their current job, or applying for a job elsewhere in the organization. While this change is personally difficult for some affected staff members, it is also true that the stores and restaurant we see today are a result of continuous change and evolution. Change is often controversial. Our first controversy came before we opened, when we were searching for a space to put our new co-op. Several people in Carrboro told us that there were many residents in Carrboro that would never set foot in the building at 101 E. Weaver Street. Many huge old trees had been cut down on the large grassy lawn where the building now stood, and feelings remained strong even then, several years after the deed was done. People's attitudes softened when they heard what we wanted to do; we offered something they wanted and needed—good food, cooperative ownership, and a community-gathering place. We started evolving and changing as soon as we opened. It wasn't long before we faced the decision to sell fresh meat and poultry along with the seafood we already sold. Many passionate voices participated in lengthy meetings, and good arguments were made in every direction. In the end, the deciding factor was that our meat-eating customers were going elsewhere to buy meat. We were barely making it financially and the message from customers was that they wanted to do one stop shopping. We decided that we would sell meat and poultry, but only if it were antibiotic and hormone free, a designation we take for granted now. But back then, we were the only area source for antibiotic and hormone free meats, and we learned the hard way that the profitability on a product in short supply, and so difficult to get, was basically zero. I know we temporarily lost some vegetarian customers over the change, but we made that decision to meet our customers' needs and stay in business for the long run. Now it seems a no-brainer. I can think of one critical change we declined to make, and that decision helped set us on the path we are on today. The Carrboro store was bursting at the seams; it was clear we couldn t grow a lot more there. An empty grocery store space elsewhere in town begged for our attention. It was enticing—twice the space, loading dock, traditional grocery store design, no more retrofitting office bays into grocery store aisles. Many co-ops around the country were taking the leap up in size in order to stay financially sound in an increasingly competitive market. But there was a parking lot instead of a lawn out front, and we valued the ability to host the community outside our front door more than the efficiencies the other space would allow. Through this decision process, we started formalizing our mission to be part of a vibrant commercial center, and to do that by opening small stores in the heart of a community rather than by growing bigger and bigger in one location. Panzanella Restaurant was our first venture to offer new ways to experience community through food, and we took that opportunity to move the bread bakery out of its very tight location in the store and into the building with the restaurant. Controversy surrounded us. Would we be stretched too thin? What would it be like to have staff spread between 2 buildings? Would the bakery still feel a part of the store? What would customers think about having their bread baked "off-site" and brought over? Variations on these concerns were repeated when we opened our Southern Village location and expanded the kitchen and pastry bakery in Carrboro to make food for both stores and the new store on the horizon in Hillsborough. As it turns out, customers still love our bread, pastries, and all the other goodies we truck to Southern Village from Carrboro everyday. What our customers don't like, though, at either store, is scarcity. Not finding what someone came in for is the most frequent complaint we get at Southern Village, but I know that my co-workers in Carrboro are doing the best they can in the space they have. Not being able to produce enough food in the existing space is the single driving force behind the planned Food House. And so Weaver Street changes in the quest to be the same lively and essential business that our customers and owners know and want. A nineteen-year perspective looks remarkably smooth and seamless, and hides the ups and downs, controversies, and even threats to survival we have faced. We clearly didn't choose the easy route—no model tells us how to navigate this partnership of consumer and worker owners, of employees and customers. Here's to the next nineteen years!

Weekly Produce Specials


	Organic Broccoli	$1.69 lb	super low price
	Organic Seedless Red Grapes	$2.49 lb	save 50¢ lb
	Organic Bing Cherries	$3.99 lb

Weekly Meat & Seafood Specials

	Alisons' Family Farms All Natural Chicken Thighs	$1.69 lb	save 50¢ lb
	Fresh, Farm-raised Tilapia Fillets	$6.99 lb	save $2.00 lb
	Niman Ranch All Natural Beef London Broil	$4.99 lb	save $1.00 lb
Read more about other Weaver Street Market Specials.


Stony Knoll Vineyard Special

Weaver Street Market's wine buyer, Peg Todloski scored big savings on Stony Knoll's Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Syrah. While Supplies last the wine is on sale for $9.99 a bottle. These wines are a wonderful snapshot of what's being made all around North Carolina as farmers and winemakers wakeup to the potential of North Carolina terroir. Stony Knoll Vineyard is located in Surry County, the heart of North Carolina's burgeoning wine country. From the porch of the wine tasting room the land falls gently away to vineyards on the left, a small pond by the wild looking Muscadine vines and in the distance a hundred year old log cabin that has recently been renovated into the Wine Lodge and can be rented.
Learn more about Stony Knoll here.



Scrap Exchange at SV

Saturday, June 30, 12 - 2 pm at Southern village Get ready for the Fourth of July with the Scrap Exchange! Let your patriotic creativity run free on Saturday, then bring your creations to the Weaver Street Market lawn in Carrboro on the Fourth of July for the People's Parade.

After Hours

Every Thursday On the Weaver Street Market lawn in Carrboro, 6-8 pm Weaver Street Market invites the community to enjoy an eclectic mix of local bands under the oaks in Carrboro. Bring a blanket or chair and relax with freshly prepared hot food from our Hot Bar or picnic on cheese, salami, and bread fresh from our bakery. Beer and wine will be available for sale inside the store. Weaver Street Market loves to see people enjoying our lawn and connecting with their community. To keep this event a safe and fun place, we ask that you only bring friendly, well-behaved dogs on leashes and please clean up after them. We want the children who attend our event to have a safe and happy time too, so we ask that they not be allowed to climb the trees, including the Crepe Myrtles. Lastly, please enjoy the fountain from its perimeter. Thank you for your help in making this event safe and fun for everyone. June 21 - Full Moon Pie- pop twang with bluegrass sensibilities June 28 - Tim Smith Band- original Jamaican style Ska & Reggae July 5 - The Jonathan Byrd Band - original & traditional country & bluegrass July 12 - Milagro Saints - Sweet rugged Folk July 19 - Carolina Caterwaulers - breakdowns, hoedowns & songs of the South July 26 - Armand and Bluesology - house rockin' music *After Hours & the ALE Regulations* We know how much fun it is to sit on the lawn and drink some beers, but unfortunately North Carolina law forbids Weaver Street Market from selling six packs for consumption outside. You can buy beer singles from our cooler, or half-gallon Growlers from Carolina Brewery, but please—be kind to our cashiers and don't buy a six pack to take outside. *The Piedmont Wildlife Center is Cooking at After Hours this Week* Piedmont Wildlife Center's mission is to support native North American wildlife and its habitat through rehabilitation, education, and research. The Center operates a wildlife rehabilitation hospital in Durham that accepts injured, sick or orphaned native wildlife 365 days a year. Through a grant from the NC Division of Public Health, they are participating in a wildlife surveillance program to identify diseases of local wildlife that may have an impact on human health. The Center also trains volunteers and offers education programs about wildlife conservation and wildlife issues to the public, youth groups and school groups and operates a summer day camp for ages 4-12. More information can be found on their website at www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org or by calling 968-8557.
Read more about other Weaver Street Market events here.

Jazz Brunch

Sundays 11 am - 1 pm On the lawn in Carrboro Weaver Street Market's Jazz & More! Brunch is under way! This family friendly event is a great way to start your Sunday. Inside, we'll have fresh scones, muffins and sweet pastries in our bake case; fresh, hot coffee and a barista to make that special coffee drink; and an array of eggs, grits, pancakes or French Toast to fill you up! Outside, under the oaks, you'll hear a range of local bands playing Jazz, Americana, Blues, and Bluegrass; keeping everybody happy and dancing. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please keep the children out of the trees and fountain and dogs on leashes. Band schedule: June 24 - Community Music Project - the sound of grassroots music July 1 -The Tim Smith Jazz Trio-jazz standards and originals from the 50s to present July 8 - Chris Reynolds, Swing-n-jazz- just like the name sounds July 15 -The Guilty Pleasures- traditional American Music July 22 - Different Drum- American music with a world beat July 29 - Laura Ridgeway-Jazz vocalist

Celebrate July 4th!

Get your red, white and blue on! Celebrate the 4th at Weaver Street Market 9:30am - Live music by Tim Stambaugh & Friends 10:00am - Designing and Decorating Booths Open—Patriotic Tattoo Booth, Hat Making & Decorating, Bike and Wagon Decorating 10-10:30 - Registration for Patriotic Costume Contest: Categories - 1-5 year olds, 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds, Family/Group, Bike, Trike/Wagon, Scooter/Other 10:45 - Costume Winners Announced 10:50 - Parade Assembly 11:00 - People's Parade March down Weaver to Town Hall Co-sponsored by Weaver Street Market and the Town of Carrboro

Community Non-Profit Day

Sunday, July 1, 10 am - 2 pm on the lawn in Carrboro Every first Sunday of the month, March through November, from 10 am - 2 pm, Weaver Street Market will host nonprofit groups from our community. Local, non-profit groups will have informational tables where you can find out about the good works of our local charitable groups. Come prepared to learn, to donate, and maybe find a group you'd like to volunteer with! If your organization would like to attend: Space is limited and assigned on a first come basis so we ask that you sign up at least a week in advance and limit the number of times you sign up to three (3) per year. Also, your group must be a 501(c)(3). To apply, please email Kris Brannan at kris.b@weaverstreetmarket.coop or call 919-929-0010 ext 132. Your request will be confirmend by email or phone. Come out and let everyone know what your group is doing in the community!

Movies on the Green

Southern Village Every Friday and Saturday, 8 PM The Last Mimsy - Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 Blades of Glory - Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 Movie starts at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $3.00. Stop by Weaver Street Market for a picnic dinner. Please, no glass containers or pets.
Click here to see more of the schedule.



Eat Local Triangle

Eat Local Triangle is a month-long calendar of events this June 2007. Join us in raising awareness about the connection between local foods and farms to flavor, health, local economy, workers' rights, environment, and land preservation. Eat Local Triangle includes the participation of over 60 restaurants and events such as the Smart Start Family Fest, The Abundance Foundation's All-local Community Dinner, and Hillsborough Hog Day, a whole pasture-raised hog tasting.
Read more about Eat Local Triangle here.

National Pollinators Week

JUNE 24 - 30 2007 has been designated National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Weaver Street Market and North Carolina Cooperative Extension invite you to celebrate the vital role that pollinators have in our lives and in our ecosystem. Pollinators include bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, beetles, flies, and vertebrates such as birds, bats, and small mammals. As they visit flowers they transfer pollen from one flower to another which leads to fertilization. Of the estimated 1,330 crops grown worldwide for food, beverages, fibers, condiments, and spices, approximately 75% are pollinated by animals. With no pollination at all, many plants could not produce fruit nor set seed, and many of the foods we eat would no longer be available. Pollinators are essential components of the habitats and ecosystems that many wild animals rely on for food and shelter. Pollinators are very deserving of this recognition! We all need to do more to recognize their role in our lives. During the week of June 25 stop by Weaver Street Market to learn more about how pollinators specifically affect your food choices! Events Thursday, June 28 at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro Noon-1:00 - Bee Cage - watch an experienced beekeeper open a hive and talk about bees and beekeeping; get your burning questions answered 1:00-1:30 - Protect our Pollinators and Plant a Bee Garden - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension 1:30-2:30 - Bee Cage Demonstration 2:30-3:00 - How to Become a Backyard Beekeeper - David Tarpy, NCSU 3:00-4:00 - Bee Cage Demonstration 4:00-4:30 - Overview of North Carolina Pollinators in North Carolina - Steve Bambara, NCSU



WSM Board Meeting date changed!

Due to a scheduling conflict, the WSM Board of Directors will be meeting tonight, Tuesday, June 19 instead of their usual third Wednesday timeslot. The Board will host a pre-meeting session with worker-owners and staff of the Co-op from 6:30 to 7:15 in the auditorium of Carrboro Elementary. Consumer-owners of the Co-op are welcome to attend as observers. The work session of the Board meeting will resume in the Community Realty building on the corner of Greensboro and Weaver Streets from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Minutes from past Board meetings are posted on the Weaver Street Market website.
Read WSM Board Meeting minutes here.


Farm Dinner tonight!

Featuring items from Perry-winkle Farm Today, June 19, 5:30 - 9 pm Celebrate the abundance of delicious local food! Enjoy a special menu with exciting dishes created with ingredients grown by Cathy Jones and Mike Perry. Reservations accepted for parties of 6 or more. Patio dining available.
Visit Panzanella's website to view all menus (lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch).
Sign up for Panzanella's Enewsletter here.