Company Shops to receive $298,000 Grant from the State of NC

Gov. Bev Perdue is holding a press conference at 12pm this Thursday (May 27th) at the Depot in Downtown Burlington. Come on out to celebrate, show your support for the co-op and to thank Gov Perdue.  We hope to see you there.

Here are just a few of the initial reactions to hearing the news:

Boardmember Eric Henry says: “This a game changer for our community and will push us over the finish line to get our co-op grocery store opened, but this still does not diminish the need for more owners and investors in order to reduce the amount we need to borrow from the bank. Thanks for everyone’s support!”
 

CSM owner Susan Kern says: “I want to offer thanks to all the folks on the board who have worked so hard for years on this. I am thrilled for you all AND for us!”

Sarah Cook, CSM’s Marketing & Communications Manager says: “I’m so excited my feet are dancing! You better dust off your hard hats because I think this means construction will be starting soon. A HUGE amount of work went on behind the scenes to put together this grant proposal and to take it through the decision process. I feel a great big debt of gratitude for the efforts of Company Shops Market’s past and current board members, Anne Morris of the Burlington Downtown Corporation, and the many others I probably don’t even now about who pulled together to make this happen. Thank you. And thank you to Bev Perdue and the State of North Carolina for using the Main Street Solutions Fund to support locally-owned small businesses and to promote the revitalization of North Carolina’s historic small towns ”

Nate Perry, CSM’s Marketing & Communications Co-Manager says: “The hard work and focus of many has paid off! Congrats B-town and CSM!!!”

Glen Raven Makes Substantial Gift to CSM
 

News From The Board

Financial News:

Amount of community investment notes that have converted from debt to equity: $116,000.

Board President Sharon Dent signed the USDA loan guaranty commitment letter this week.

Construction Planning:

Boardmembers Bob Hykes, Rusty Holt and Sharon Dent meet late last week at the Company Shops building to discuss details to begin the pre-construction process.

Architect and board member Bill Moser is preparing the pre-design work necessary so that we can have a commercial appraisal performed in connection with the Fidelity Bank loan.

Changes in the board: Hello & Good Bye

The Company Shops board welcomes, Heather Bjork our newest member to our board. Heather says: "Thanks for the warm welcome! I am excited about getting started in sharing the amazing value proposition for families, children & our community that Company Shops Market offers. I am looking forward to having a special focus on children and mothers in Alamance County."

Company Shops Market says goodbye to Tom Ryan: Tom felt he couldn't give the amount of time required by a board as busy as ours.

Upcoming Events:

5/27/10 - Gov Bev Perdue's Press Conference @ the Depot in Downtown Burlington, NC at noon

Gov Perdue will give a press conference related to the $298k Main Street Solutions Fund Grant being awarded to the Company Shops Market project. Come on out to celebrate, show your support for the co-op and to thank Gov Perdue.  We hope to see you there. Noon tomorrow (Thursday).

5/28/10 - Downtown Burlington's Fridays on Front Concert Series: Lizzy Ross

If you went to our Novemberfest last fall, you may recognize Lizzy Ross as the band that played for our event. Well, she is back in Burlington again. This time she will be performing at the Depot as part of Alamance County's Musical Chairs Summer Concerts.  Admission and parking are free. Pick-up dinner, grab some chairs and bring the family out for an evening of entertainment.

5/29/10 - Saturday Store @ the CSM Building  10am-2pm

Company Shops Market will have a 'Saturday Store' every Saturday from 10 to 2. If you haven't picked up your owner t-shirt and/or totebag, haven't purchased your Preferred Shares, or want a peak inside the future home of Company Shops Market, come on down! We will also be selling the tin ceiling tiles.  

7/15/10 - Eastern Music Festival Concert Afterparty @ the CSM Building 

Company Shops Market will be sponsoring the after party for an Eastern Music Festival concert happening at the Paramount Theater on July 15th. Stay tuned for more info as we get closer to the event.

The  Numbers:

We have raised $76,800 in Preferred Shares this month!

1,655	$589,800
Owners	Community Investment

In-Season Eating

Tips & Recipes for In-Season Eating, by CSM Owner Megan Squire

(Roasted root vegetables on left, served with Dandelion frittata on right)

How to Roast Root Vegetables

This is one of those recipes that isn't really worthy of being called a "recipe". It's more of a technique. In the winter and spring, locavores here in NC are faced with what I like to call the Beet Conundrum. We've basically got a plethora of root vegetables and not enough ways to cook them. Roasting them is the default, so you should know this method first above all others. When you get sick of roasting your root veggies, you can move on to more exotic preparations.

Here's the basic prep for roasting: You'll peel/chop the veggies, put them in a bag with olive oil and spices, mix them in the bag, then pour onto a baking sheet and roast on the top rack of a 400-degree oven until tender.  Piece of cake.

Now here's the details:
What do I mix this stuff in? Use a gallon size zipper bag OR a leftover bread bag OR a leftover produce bag from the grocery store. (You don't throw those out do you?!? So useful...)

What kinds of veggies? I like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips - all unpeeled, chopped into mouth-sized bites - and I like my beets and turnips peeled. I like to also add an onion, chopped in half lengthwise, then each half chopped into thirds or quarters. You should use whatever hearty, root veggies you have on hand or whatever the farmers are selling at the moment.

How many veggies? Well, this depends a bit on how hungry you are and how big your roasting pan is. These roasted veggies re-heat VERY well so I like to make extra.

How much olive oil? This is a bit of personal preference. You need enough that each piece will touch the oil but you don't want them dripping with it. Maybe 1 tablespoon per 2 cups of whole vegetables? Put the oil in the bag with the vegetables and see what it looks like. Start with less oil, you can always add more.

How much spice and which ones? Mmm, this is my favorite part. Mince the leaves from a few stalks of rosemary and from a handful of thyme stalks, and blend in some minced garlic (3 or 4 cloves) or garlic powder if you have no garlic on hand, and some salt and pepper. If you are feeling very lazy, get a packet of Good Seasons dressing out of your emergency pantry stash and throw that in the bag instead.

How to cook it? Now that everything's in the bag, just mix it around until it's coated nicely. Make sure you have enough oil so that each piece can get some spices stuck to it. Dump it out on the roasting pan, jelly roll pan, or baking sheet. (I like to use a stainless steel half-sheet cake pan.) Pop it in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Run a metal spatula through the veggies to unstick them from the bottom of the pan and flip them over a bit, then pop them back in the oven. Every 10 minutes or so, check that it's doing ok and that stuff is getting browned but not sticking to the bottom. Stick a fork into one of the veggies and see how it's doing. The potatoes will take the longest, especially if you left the pieces very large in size.

Preferred Shares Now Available

The Time Is Now: Buy your preferred shares today!
 

Invest in three simple steps:

1. Review the Prospectus carefully.
2. Complete and sign the Subscription Agreement.
3. Mail the signed Subscription Agreement and your check to: Sharon Dent, Company Shops Market, Inc., Post Office Box 848, Burlington, NC 27216.

It’s that simple…. *For more information, visit our Become An Investor page

Vintage Ceiling Tiles For Sale: $10 each

Available Saturdays, 10am - 2pm @ Company Shops Market Building

Company Shops Market 'Saturday Store' is every Saturday from 10 to 2. We will be selling the salvage ceiling tiles that were removed from the ceiling during building renovation. Many of you have expressed interest in purchasing the ceiling tiles and this will be your first chance to do so. These are first come, first served. Please bring gloves for handling the tiles as they are sharp. If you haven't picked up your owner t-shirt and/or tote bag or haven't purchased your Preferred Shares, come on down.

Want to hear more from the co-op? Get the latest news and join the conversion on the Blog, Twitter and Facebook.

Nathan Perry & Sarah Cook
Co-Managers of Communications and Brand Management