What the Co-op needs to survive

To the Editor,

I read Craig LaBan’s account of navigating grocery shopping during the pandemic, “Big Task of Food” (Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/27/20), with great interest. He recounts his dealings with different levels of preparedness and safety while shopping in person at Wegmans and Acme, as well as “riding the roller-coaster of online shopping and deliveries.” He concludes by saying, “In these days of online distance-shopping roulette, I felt as if we’d won the grocery lottery” – simply because he was able to get an Amazon Fresh delivery after spending hours online.

Well, Swarthmore... I hope you realize that you have won the grocery lottery by having the Co-op!! The Co-op has been way ahead of the curve in providing a safe and sanitary environment for staff and customers, as well as having well stocked shelves. Thank you, General Manager Mike Litka. The community has stepped up to fill orders and get them to your doors. Thank you, volunteers!

The question is, will shoppers — members and non-members alike — appreciate what they have, and continue to patronize the Co-op when this crisis is over? The community has truly mobilized around the Co-op. Would this ever happen at a big-box store? No! The Co-op has proven that it is an inextricable part of this community.

For the Co-op to continue to exist, let alone thrive, it will need the support of the community, and not just by our continuing to shop there after the pandemic ends. 

To that end, I ask the three groups who are opposing the Co-op’s sale of beer and wine to withdraw your opposition. Patrick Flanigan, the Pastuszek family, and Rodney and Deborah Swaney: You are holding the Co-op hostage, forcing it to divert resources that the business cannot afford to waste fighting you in court. Could it be that a silver lining of this crisis is that everyone can vividly imagine what Swarthmore would be like without the Co-op? Do the right thing. Withdraw your opposition to the deed-restriction waiver. Get out of the way and let the Co-op grow into the place that the community wants it to be when this crisis is over.

Pam Bartholomew
Swarthmore