All Sections All Sections Winnipeg Free Press Subscribe
Articles Read Your Balance +tax

April 14, 2021

Winnipeg
0° C, Overcast

Full Forecast

Contact Us Subscribe Manage Subscription Chat with us
Log in Create Free Account Help Chat with us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • My Account
    • Manage my Subscription
    • Change Password

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
    • Log in
    • Create Free Account
    • Help

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Replica E-Edition
    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times
  • Above the Fold
  • Front page
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Book Club
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Canada
  • Local
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • World
  • The StarNEW
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Archives
  • Canstar Community News
    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Classifieds
  • Contests
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • Sponsored
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Flyers
  • Homes
    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Puzzles
  • Photostore
  • More

©2021 FP Newspaper Inc.

Close
  • Quick Links

    • Coronavirus Coverage
    • Above the Fold
    • Home
    • Local
    • Canada
    • World
    • Classifieds
    • Special Coverage
    • Flyers
    • Newsletters
    • Obituaries
    • Photostore
    • Archives
    • Contests
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Content
    • Privacy Policy

    Ways to support us

    • Pay it Forward program
    • Subscribe
    • Day Pass
    • Read Now Pay later
  • Replica E-Edition

    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times

    Business

    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Arts & Life

    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Sports

    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • Opinion

    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor

    Media

    • All Media
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos

    Homes

    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Canstar Community News

    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Coupons

    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
Canstar Community News
  • The Herald
  • The Lance
  • The Sou'wester
  • The Metro
  • The Times
  • The Headliner
  • Sports
  • Correspondents
  • Columns
  • Contact Us
  • E-Edition
  • Publications
  • Building Unity: Our Community Centres

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Neechi Foods Co-op ready to expand

By: Ryan Crocker
Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Thursday, Apr. 8, 2010

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Save to Read Later

A popular North End business known for its selection of regionally produced aboriginal specialty foods and crafts is finally expanding its operations.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 8/4/2010 (4024 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Marcella Poirier and Wins Bridgman of Bridgman Collaborative Architecture show off a model of the proposed Neechi Commons with Neechi Foods Co-op president Louise Champagne and project manager Russ Rothney.

RYAN CROCKER

Marcella Poirier and Wins Bridgman of Bridgman Collaborative Architecture show off a model of the proposed Neechi Commons with Neechi Foods Co-op president Louise Champagne and project manager Russ Rothney.

A popular North End business known for its selection of regionally produced aboriginal specialty foods and crafts is finally expanding its operations.

Neechi Foods Co-op at 325 Dufferin Ave. will be the main attraction at a proposed business and community complex to be known as Neechi Commons. The complex will be developed in the former California Fruit Market building at 865 Main St. as well as an adjacent building at 879 Main St.

Originally expected to break ground in the fall of 2009, the co-op delayed construction to work with Bridgman Collaborative Architecture on making the complex more environmentally friendly. It also solicited stakeholder and public input before choosing a final design.

Now the planning process is nearing completion and construction on the project is scheduled to begin in July and wrap up early in 2011. Costs are estimated at just over $4 million.

"We’re very excited because this has been a long time coming," said Louise Champagne, president of the co-op. Speaking at a final planning consultation meeting held on April 1, she said the complex will rehabilitate two landmark Main Street buildings and contribute to ongoing revitalization efforts in the area. It will also provide the co-op, its anchor tenant, with a highly-visible location — one served by more than 650 buses daily, as opposed to virtually none at the co-op's current location.

Russ Rothney, the co-op’s project manager, said the expansion will transform Neechi Foods Co-op into a destination of choice for consumers who want regionally-produced foods such as fish, berries, and wild rice.

Approximately two dozen people attended the meeting at which Wins Bridgman and Marcella Poirier of Bridgman Collaborative Architecture detailed what the complex will look like.

‘It's going to be welcoming and exciting," Poirier said.

She explained the roof of 865 Main St. will be raised to match that of the former California Fruit Market building. The two buildings will be joined into a single complex that houses the co-op, other business and community based tenants, and will have available for use by community groups.

The parking lot of 865 Main St. will be pushed to the back of the lot to allow for a farmers’ market adjacent to Main Street. The market will Initially be an open-air space for summer use, but there are plans to erect glass walls and a roofso it can be used year-round.

Stay informed

The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

Subscribe to COVID-19 Briefing
Sign Up

"The complex is going to reflect the vibrant aboriginal community and use as little energy as possible," Bridgman added.

He explained the interior of the two buildings will be completely rehabilitated. A new mezzanine level will be added, creating a high-ceiling effect. A courtyard will also be added, respecting the community hub role the co-op has played for years. Energy-saving features such as geo-thermal heating and skylights for natural lighting are also planned.

Anne-Shirley Clough, a North End resident who grew up in the neighbourhood, was visibly excited at the meeting. She said it's about time residents of the North End and Point Douglas had easier access to affordable, healthy food — especially since many don’t own vehicles and must walk or use public transit.

"This means I will have a farmers’ market within walking distance and I won’t have to go to Birds Hill Park or St. Norbert," she said, adding the symbolic benefits of Neechi Commons are as important to the area as its practical benefits.

"I grew up in the North End and it breaks my heart to see what it became," she said. "We need something like this in the neighbourhood because we’ve lost too much. Thankfully, Main Street is slowly coming back to life. It’s so exciting."

ryan.crocker@canstarnews.com

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

  • Report Error
  • Submit a Tip
  • Refund

The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.

To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Top