Newest PCC Natural Markets Store to Showcase Local Products, Eco-Friendly Features
SEATTLE -- PCC Natural Markets (PCC) here will open its eighth store, in Redmond, Wash. on Wed. May 17. The 23,382-square-foot store will offer a wide selection of organic and natural products, while cutting-edge building enhancements that maximize energy efficiency and minimize waste are expected to qualify the store for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification -- only the third grocery store in the United States to earn this distinction -- and the first to attain the LEED Gold level.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Noted PCC c.e.o. Tracy Wolpert, "It has been very gratifying to work with many local producers and community groups in bringing our fresh, natural shopping experience to Redmond and surrounding neighborhoods."
The new store will offer an expansive produce department featuring local, organic, and seasonal fruits and vegetables; a 100 percent natural meat and sustainable seafood department; a full-service deli with a fresh sushi bar; and an broad assortment of domestic and imported wines and beers. It will also have interior and exterior customer seating, and a state-of-the-art classroom and teaching kitchen where cooking classes for adults and children be will held through the company's "PCC Cooks" program.
Among the environmentally friendly features will be a sales area lit by natural light enhanced by 28 skylights specially glazed to block solar heat; energy-efficient fixtures providing lighting well below Washington state's Energy Code; timers and sensors to minimize usage of all store energy-consuming systems; intereconnected space-heating, hot water-heating, and refrigeration systems to allow the refrigeration system’s waste heat to be used by the other systems; all office furniture, tables, and outdoor seating obtained from reuse sources; and cabinetry throughout the entire store made from Skyblend, a 100 percent recycled material.
Staffed by more than 80 full- and part-time employees, the store will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Food-sampling and cooking demonstrations marking the store's opening are scheduled through Sunday, May 21. Cooking classes will be offered at PCC Redmond beginning June 13.
PCC, a certified organic retailer and the nation's largest community-owned natural foods retailer, operates eight King County locations serving the Fremont, Greenlake, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Seward Park, View Ridge, and West Seattle neighborhoods.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Noted PCC c.e.o. Tracy Wolpert, "It has been very gratifying to work with many local producers and community groups in bringing our fresh, natural shopping experience to Redmond and surrounding neighborhoods."
The new store will offer an expansive produce department featuring local, organic, and seasonal fruits and vegetables; a 100 percent natural meat and sustainable seafood department; a full-service deli with a fresh sushi bar; and an broad assortment of domestic and imported wines and beers. It will also have interior and exterior customer seating, and a state-of-the-art classroom and teaching kitchen where cooking classes for adults and children be will held through the company's "PCC Cooks" program.
Among the environmentally friendly features will be a sales area lit by natural light enhanced by 28 skylights specially glazed to block solar heat; energy-efficient fixtures providing lighting well below Washington state's Energy Code; timers and sensors to minimize usage of all store energy-consuming systems; intereconnected space-heating, hot water-heating, and refrigeration systems to allow the refrigeration system’s waste heat to be used by the other systems; all office furniture, tables, and outdoor seating obtained from reuse sources; and cabinetry throughout the entire store made from Skyblend, a 100 percent recycled material.
Staffed by more than 80 full- and part-time employees, the store will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Food-sampling and cooking demonstrations marking the store's opening are scheduled through Sunday, May 21. Cooking classes will be offered at PCC Redmond beginning June 13.
PCC, a certified organic retailer and the nation's largest community-owned natural foods retailer, operates eight King County locations serving the Fremont, Greenlake, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Seward Park, View Ridge, and West Seattle neighborhoods.