MIDDLEBURY NATURAL FOODS CO-OP

The Middlebury Natural Foods Coop came to VIA with a challenging wish list for the renovation and expansion of their store on Washington Street in Middlebury: increase retail space by 50%, minimize increases in energy consumption, plan for longevity and flexibility for further expansion, and maintain regular business operations during construction. VIA worked with multiple stakeholders – co-op members, staff, producers, and adjacent property owners, among others – to address the needs and concerns of all interested parties. The expansion includes a roomier produce department, new deli kitchen and café space, larger cheese and meat departments, increased back stock area, wider aisles, improved thermal envelope, and more efficient equipment. VIA, whose employees are regular Co-op customers, is pleased to have played an integral role in the improvement of this widely-used community resource.

“VIA was fantastic to work with through a very challenging downtown community project. From the initial design phase through the permitting process to communication with contractors to finished product, they really were solid support the entire time. How lucky we were to have them close to home.”

-Glenn Lower, MNFC General Manager