PCC Natural Markets Aims at LEED Platinum Status for Store No. 9
SEATTLE, Wash. - Natural and organic foods retailer PCC Natural Markets is shooting for LEED Platinum Certification - the U.S. Green Building Council's highest level of certification - with the construction of its ninth store, scheduled to open mid-2008 in Edmonds, Wash.
The retailer finalized a long-term lease this week to take over the 34,400 sq. ft. facility, which Albertsons had vacated in late 2005. PCC's food store will occupy about 24,000 square feet of the space. The natural grocer said it expects to employ about 100 full and part-time employees. It said it also expects three smaller tenants will share the remaining space.
"This [is an] opportunity to bring natural food choices to the Edmonds community," said Tracy Wolpert, c.e.o. of PCC.
PCC will renovate the existing structure to incorporate a range of eco-friendly features that will position the store for LEED Platinum Certification, which the U.S. Green Building Council awards for excellence in building design and operation.
PCC's Redmond store was the first grocery store to qualify for LEED Gold for exceeding industry standards for energy efficiency and systems performance.
To position the Edmonds store for LEED Platinum Certification, PCC plans to install several eco-friendly features including skylights, energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems, LED lighting, recycled building materials, a storm water management system, and indoor air quality systems.
The store will offer PCC's traditional selection of fresh organic produce, artisan cheeses and breads, and natural meats and seafood. New offerings include a state-of-the-art classroom/teaching kitchen, sushi and pizza prepared on-site, and an in-store bakery.
Seattle-based Velocipede Architects and Woodman Construction will assist in the design and building of the store, along with the PCC team that developed its Redmond, Wash. Store in 2006 and the Seattle store in 2003.
PCC is a certified organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $112 million and an active membership of nearly 40,000 households. It operates eight stores in the Washington cities of Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah.
The retailer finalized a long-term lease this week to take over the 34,400 sq. ft. facility, which Albertsons had vacated in late 2005. PCC's food store will occupy about 24,000 square feet of the space. The natural grocer said it expects to employ about 100 full and part-time employees. It said it also expects three smaller tenants will share the remaining space.
"This [is an] opportunity to bring natural food choices to the Edmonds community," said Tracy Wolpert, c.e.o. of PCC.
PCC will renovate the existing structure to incorporate a range of eco-friendly features that will position the store for LEED Platinum Certification, which the U.S. Green Building Council awards for excellence in building design and operation.
PCC's Redmond store was the first grocery store to qualify for LEED Gold for exceeding industry standards for energy efficiency and systems performance.
To position the Edmonds store for LEED Platinum Certification, PCC plans to install several eco-friendly features including skylights, energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems, LED lighting, recycled building materials, a storm water management system, and indoor air quality systems.
The store will offer PCC's traditional selection of fresh organic produce, artisan cheeses and breads, and natural meats and seafood. New offerings include a state-of-the-art classroom/teaching kitchen, sushi and pizza prepared on-site, and an in-store bakery.
Seattle-based Velocipede Architects and Woodman Construction will assist in the design and building of the store, along with the PCC team that developed its Redmond, Wash. Store in 2006 and the Seattle store in 2003.
PCC is a certified organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $112 million and an active membership of nearly 40,000 households. It operates eight stores in the Washington cities of Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah.