Auburn, California – On Monday, August 8, Auburn community members came out in force to learn more about the new BriarPatch Food Co-op grocery store coming to town during a lively Meet & Greet event held at Crooked Lane Brewing Company.
Upwards of 150 people showed up to mix and mingle during the event coined, “Cheers to Auburn” featuring a food truck, video premieres and a beer tasting and tour with the brewery’s Co-owner and Brewmaster Teresa Psuty.
Members of the community included county board members, city council members, local businesses, farmers, representatives from local nonprofit groups and co-op owner members. Also, on hand were local and international producers from Super Tuber Farm, Local Culture Ferments and Equal Exchange.
Proceeds from the event benefited PlacerGrown Farmers Market.
“The enthusiasm about the Auburn store is so energizing. It was such fun to meet some of our long time Auburn Owners and bring new community members on board. We feel so welcomed,” said Owner Relationship Coordinator Chelle Wheatley.
BriarPatch Food Co-op is a natural food grocery store first started in 1976 and based in Grass Valley. The cooperative is scheduled to open a second store in the old Kmart building on Bell Road sometime this winter. Construction is ongoing despite supply chain constraints that have pushed back the grand opening of the store originally slated for fall 2022.
Hiring for the second store has begun with a store manager and food services manager already selected. Additional hirings will happen closer to the opening date.
The Auburn store will be similar in size to the Grass Valley location and will have the same quality products including local fruit and vegetables, sustainably sourced meat and fish and an award-winning deli and bakery with a coffee bar, grab and go, a food bar, taqueria and world bowls.
Outdoor lovers will find bike racks and a bike pump at the entrance and an outdoor patio for dining on site where the former Kmart garden center was located alongside the building.
A demo station in the store will feature tastings and pro tips for food preparation and a community room will be the go-to place for classes, meetings and fun events. People who become owner-members receive benefits and discounts throughout the year.
To stay up-to-date on hiring, get updates about the second store and to learn more about becoming an owner member, visit https://briarpatch.coop/auburn