Grove Place Association
January 26, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 39 Members; 1 Guest Speaker
Jim Martin opened the meeting by introducing the guest, Glen Kellogg, and announcing that the business meeting would take place after the presentation.
Guest Speaker:
Glen Kellogg talked to us about his plan to open a grocery store on Winthrop St. He gave background information on himself and discussed his background and his start-up business, Rochester Local Capital. This company is a for-profit economic development company. Glen explained that he wants to build “walkable” communities.
He has acquired 17 local investors to participate in the development of the locally owned, independent grocery store, which will be called “Hart’s Local Grocers”, named after a former local grocery, “Hart’s Groceries” that was located in Rochester. Glen had been looking for a local property for two years and feels that the building on Winthrop St., which formerly housed Craig Automotives ideal as it will be ‘walkable’ to approximately 2,000 people in the surrounding neighborhoods. He also sees the grocery as accessible via bike lanes. It’s anticipated that the grocery will open in May.
There are 130 parking spaces available and he sees peak hours for the store to be 4-7 p.m. The Little Café, which actually occupies a 2200 square foot space in the building, will continue to operate.
Glen wants the store to be a full service grocery. There will be 18,000 square feet of retail area on the first floor. He wants to have ‘food transparency’---buyers knowing where the food came from. He wants to feature as many local brands as possible, for example, baked goods may come from a local bakery. He wants this store to be a place for the community; he wants it to reflect the community that surrounds it.
The store will have in-store dining and prepared foods. There will be a butcher. There is a Twitter account where community members have been posting the items they’d like to see in the store. Glen encourages people to Twitter #myhartswishlist to inform what items they’d like to see. He indicated that a major request is for the grocery to sell craft beers.
Glen was asked about the upstairs portion of the building. He was told that the upstairs has 3,000 square feet of space which Glen proposes will be offices. He is currently looking for an office tenant. John also asked about an environmental study and was assured that there are no contaminants in or on the property.
Some issues need yet to be resolved: handicapped accessibility; what services, such as carrying groceries to cars, will be provided; whether they will provide for special dietary issues. He was asked if fresh fish will be sold and was told yes, that they are trying to secure a purveyor. Store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Members asked some detailed questions which need working out, such as where to hold pull-carts while people shop, and maintenance of sidewalks during winter so people can walk to the store.
Many questions were asked such as the relationship between Glen’s company and the new City/County administrations; whether or not there will be a pharmacy in the store (ans. no); weaknesses in the major markets that Glen would hope to fill, etc.
Business Meeting:
Treasurer’s Report:
John Lovenheim reported on the status of the account, which is healthy.
Book Club Report:
Nancy Martin announced that the next book group meeting will be held on Feb. 17th, 7 p.m., at Sandy & Suzanne Mayer’s home. The book discussion is on Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast”. All are welcome to attend the discussion, whether they have read the book or not.
Music Events:
Sandy Mayer reported on upcoming events at the Eastman:
· Haydn’s Creation will be performed on Friday, Jan. 31st, at 8 p.m., Kodak Hall. Free to the public.
· Morning Chamber Music performance, free to the public, on Saturday, Feb. 15th at 11 a.m.
· Ying Quartet with Leon Fleischer, Kilbourn Hall, Sunday, February 23rd, 3 p.m.
Grove Town Associates, LLC:
Suzanne Mayer gave a report on the founding of the Grove Town Associates, LLC. We were successful in our efforts to have the zoning changed. Currently there are concerns with the property at 143-145 University Ave. Suzanne spoke to the realtor representing the property and finds that the owner has high expectations regarding the property’s sale price. Ed Shafer has suggested that the group have a ‘broader outlook’. Suzanne told us that American Tax Funding, the company that handles the auction of properties for the City, will now be notifying the Grove Town Associates of any properties coming up for auction. Suzanne extended an invitation to any GPA member who wants to attend the meetings of this group. The next meeting has yet to be scheduled but will likely be in the next couple of weeks.
Reception Hosts:
Hosts were needed for the April meeting; the Bjorgan’s offered their home. Receptions will be located as follows:
· February: Dennis & Sandy Wright’s
· March: Suzanne Gouvernet’s
· April: Margaret & Robin Bjorgan’s
“Foodie” Group:
Barbara Wager invited anyone interested in participating in this group to her & Vern’s home on Sunday, February 9th, at 4:30. People should bring a hors d’oeuvre & one bottle of wine (no boxes). She showed the members a cookbook from the American Hotel in Lima (Never Enough Thyme). Barb proposes that we create a cookbook which would contain a history of Grove Place and Gloria’s photographs of the neighborhood. The cookbook would be sold at the Jazz Fest in June. Anyone who would like to work with Barb on this project should be in touch with her.
Miscellaneous:
· John Lovenheim recommended the play “Boeing Boeing” which is currently playing
· John Lovenheim announced that the unit (Karen Hanson’s) in Symphony Terrace has sold and will be closed on in April
· Roz Goldman told members that she & John are working on a major Print Show to be presented at ROCO on April 3rd (opening). The exhibit will run for several weeks and will offer affordable prints.
· Steve Whitman shared his idea of having small ensembles of Eastman students hired for the receptions following the GPA meetings.
January 26, 2014
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 39 Members; 1 Guest Speaker
Jim Martin opened the meeting by introducing the guest, Glen Kellogg, and announcing that the business meeting would take place after the presentation.
Guest Speaker:
Glen Kellogg talked to us about his plan to open a grocery store on Winthrop St. He gave background information on himself and discussed his background and his start-up business, Rochester Local Capital. This company is a for-profit economic development company. Glen explained that he wants to build “walkable” communities.
He has acquired 17 local investors to participate in the development of the locally owned, independent grocery store, which will be called “Hart’s Local Grocers”, named after a former local grocery, “Hart’s Groceries” that was located in Rochester. Glen had been looking for a local property for two years and feels that the building on Winthrop St., which formerly housed Craig Automotives ideal as it will be ‘walkable’ to approximately 2,000 people in the surrounding neighborhoods. He also sees the grocery as accessible via bike lanes. It’s anticipated that the grocery will open in May.
There are 130 parking spaces available and he sees peak hours for the store to be 4-7 p.m. The Little Café, which actually occupies a 2200 square foot space in the building, will continue to operate.
Glen wants the store to be a full service grocery. There will be 18,000 square feet of retail area on the first floor. He wants to have ‘food transparency’---buyers knowing where the food came from. He wants to feature as many local brands as possible, for example, baked goods may come from a local bakery. He wants this store to be a place for the community; he wants it to reflect the community that surrounds it.
The store will have in-store dining and prepared foods. There will be a butcher. There is a Twitter account where community members have been posting the items they’d like to see in the store. Glen encourages people to Twitter #myhartswishlist to inform what items they’d like to see. He indicated that a major request is for the grocery to sell craft beers.
Glen was asked about the upstairs portion of the building. He was told that the upstairs has 3,000 square feet of space which Glen proposes will be offices. He is currently looking for an office tenant. John also asked about an environmental study and was assured that there are no contaminants in or on the property.
Some issues need yet to be resolved: handicapped accessibility; what services, such as carrying groceries to cars, will be provided; whether they will provide for special dietary issues. He was asked if fresh fish will be sold and was told yes, that they are trying to secure a purveyor. Store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Members asked some detailed questions which need working out, such as where to hold pull-carts while people shop, and maintenance of sidewalks during winter so people can walk to the store.
Many questions were asked such as the relationship between Glen’s company and the new City/County administrations; whether or not there will be a pharmacy in the store (ans. no); weaknesses in the major markets that Glen would hope to fill, etc.
Business Meeting:
Treasurer’s Report:
John Lovenheim reported on the status of the account, which is healthy.
Book Club Report:
Nancy Martin announced that the next book group meeting will be held on Feb. 17th, 7 p.m., at Sandy & Suzanne Mayer’s home. The book discussion is on Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast”. All are welcome to attend the discussion, whether they have read the book or not.
Music Events:
Sandy Mayer reported on upcoming events at the Eastman:
· Haydn’s Creation will be performed on Friday, Jan. 31st, at 8 p.m., Kodak Hall. Free to the public.
· Morning Chamber Music performance, free to the public, on Saturday, Feb. 15th at 11 a.m.
· Ying Quartet with Leon Fleischer, Kilbourn Hall, Sunday, February 23rd, 3 p.m.
Grove Town Associates, LLC:
Suzanne Mayer gave a report on the founding of the Grove Town Associates, LLC. We were successful in our efforts to have the zoning changed. Currently there are concerns with the property at 143-145 University Ave. Suzanne spoke to the realtor representing the property and finds that the owner has high expectations regarding the property’s sale price. Ed Shafer has suggested that the group have a ‘broader outlook’. Suzanne told us that American Tax Funding, the company that handles the auction of properties for the City, will now be notifying the Grove Town Associates of any properties coming up for auction. Suzanne extended an invitation to any GPA member who wants to attend the meetings of this group. The next meeting has yet to be scheduled but will likely be in the next couple of weeks.
Reception Hosts:
Hosts were needed for the April meeting; the Bjorgan’s offered their home. Receptions will be located as follows:
· February: Dennis & Sandy Wright’s
· March: Suzanne Gouvernet’s
· April: Margaret & Robin Bjorgan’s
“Foodie” Group:
Barbara Wager invited anyone interested in participating in this group to her & Vern’s home on Sunday, February 9th, at 4:30. People should bring a hors d’oeuvre & one bottle of wine (no boxes). She showed the members a cookbook from the American Hotel in Lima (Never Enough Thyme). Barb proposes that we create a cookbook which would contain a history of Grove Place and Gloria’s photographs of the neighborhood. The cookbook would be sold at the Jazz Fest in June. Anyone who would like to work with Barb on this project should be in touch with her.
Miscellaneous:
· John Lovenheim recommended the play “Boeing Boeing” which is currently playing
· John Lovenheim announced that the unit (Karen Hanson’s) in Symphony Terrace has sold and will be closed on in April
· Roz Goldman told members that she & John are working on a major Print Show to be presented at ROCO on April 3rd (opening). The exhibit will run for several weeks and will offer affordable prints.
· Steve Whitman shared his idea of having small ensembles of Eastman students hired for the receptions following the GPA meetings.
