It’s a sad time in Lakewood where natural foods market Nature’s Bin announced after 41 years serving Northeast Ohio it will be closing its doors and ending retail sales for good on Fri 11/11.
The popular store, which is owned and operated by the nonprofit Cornucopia, is a victim of big box retail outlets squeezing out independent operators. However, while Nature’s Bin will cease operation, Nature’s Bin Catering will continue.
Also, Cornucopia plans to continue its mission to provide job placement and employment services for people with disabilities as well as job training at Cornucopia Vocational Training Center, Eliza Jennings, Jennings Center, T.J. Maxx and Darice Wholesale Crafts.
CoolCleveland talked to Cornucopia Executive Director Nancy Peppler about the recent announcement.
Nancy, say it isn’t so.
It’s something we believe was an incredibly difficult decision to make but we followed the trends and the sales for some time. I firmly believe that it was the right decision. Over the years, especially in the last seven years, as organic and natural foods have become available really in multiple channels, we were no longer unique. Especially after Whole Foods opened a year ago a mile away, we experienced a dramatic drop in our sales. While our most loyal customers have remained, many others have chosen to shop elsewhere. So our sales have dropped significantly and this is the trend that independent natural food stores are seeing around the country as Walmart, Target, Costco and home delivery services all make their way into the natural and organic food market.
The irony about the store closing is the fact more people are eating healthy, which was the initial idea behind Nature’s Bin.
Right. That’s interesting because it’s so true. We feel like we were part of helping get this movement going in Northeast Ohio, and we were really only one of two stores 20 years ago. There was the (now closed) Food Co-op on Euclid Avenue and Nature’s Bin. And now healthy foods are available at many locations.
If there’s a silver lining it’s the training centers and catering operation will continue.
Yes, Cornucopia, the nonprofit, will remain and our mission to provide employment services and support to persons with disabilities will remain. And we also will continue to provide these healthy foods for the Northeast Ohio community but through out catering program.
Even though it’s a sad day, keeping those entities operational is a positive takeaway.
Absolutely, and the number of clients we serve will not be impacted at a large level. All of our trainees are here for just a few of weeks to a couple of months at a time. Right now, I have 50 people my staff are working with to try to get placed. That’s 50 people who are trying to be employed in Northeast Ohio. I need employers willing to open up their places of employment to people with disabilities who are trained and ready to work. I’m sitting here in the former McDonald’s in Lakewood that we now call our Vocational Training Center where we’re preparing all of these foods that we sold at the store. We’ll continue to sell those foods in catering. But it’s not just our professional chefs and cooks doing it. It’s them standing next to people with disabilities and teaching them how to hold a knife, how to cook, how to make sure the temperature of the chicken is right and how to follow safe food handling guidelines so they can go on to work as a prep cook in a kitchen. So when you buy our catering or our food, you’re not just buying it because it’s tasty. You’re buying it because it’s prepared by people with disabilities learning a skill.
Finally, what’s the legacy of the Nature’s Bin?
Cornucopia was founded 41 plus years ago as a social enterprise where the proceeds from the sale of organic and natural foods would in part support training for persons with disabilities. And then the store would be a platform for that training. So I’ll quote my longest tenured employee, Sandy, who has been here almost 35 years. Her response to the news was, “You know what. We’ve done a lot of good. We’ve helped a lot of people.” She’s right. We need to continue to help a lot of people and do a lot of good. It’s just not going to be at the store.”
One Response to “Lakewood’s Nature’s Bin Expiration Date Set for November 11”
Scott
Truly Sad. But please, don’t shop at Whole Foods. Whole Foods is the biggest supporter of anti-gmo labeling, along with Stonyfield Organics. Instead, support local, artisan farms through a csa or a farmers market.
Want more info on why gmo’s are so bad?
http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/genetically-engineered-foods-may-be-far-more-harmful-than-we-thought/