The Wedge, a leader in the co-op community and a Twin Cities institution, has big plans to expand.
The Minneapolis co-op recently informed member/owners that it has plans for a second store. But the location has still not been determined. "We are closely evaluating our membership base, and looking at compatible locations," the co-op said in a mailer sent to members.
In addition, a remodel is planned for the Wedge's busy Lyndale Av. store. This will include a new roof, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and energy-efficient fixtures. The project will also include new services, such as customer seating, a hot bar and salad bar, sliced deli meats, rotisserie chickens, and a serviced cheese case.
The Lyndale store will remain open during the remodel.
Finally, the Wedge says it will expand its commissary kitchen. This will help meet consumer demand for prepared foods, and feed the co-op's burgeoning catering business.
The Wedge dates back to 1974, when a group of neighbors opened an outlet in a basement apartment on Franklin Av. In 1979, the co-op moved to a small convenience store on Lyndale, and in 1992, a new store was built next to the old site. Store space doubled and a teaching kitchen was added in 1997, with a bakery being built in 2001.
Janet Moore covers commercial real estate for the Star Tribune.
