Drivers pass by the Main Street New Seasons Market. According to the company's website, the new store's amenities include catering, an espresso bar, pizza, soft serve ice cream and cookies. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
The green and black signs are up. And that means Vancouver’s westside residents won’t have to wait much longer for the much-anticipated Main Street New Seasons Market.
The store, at 1506 Main St., is set to open in late October, but the company hasn’t announced an exact date yet. The store’s manager, Michael Butterfield, expects that announcement to come soon.
“We have been absolutely thrilled by the overwhelming enthusiasm and support we’ve received from the Vancouver community,” said Butterfield.
The store has already begun hiring. According to Butterfield, 85 percent of the people hired so far are from Clark County.
“We’ve had great luck attracting a dedicated and passionate team,” added Butterfield.
New Seasons is still hiring for several positions for its downtown Vancouver store, including prepared foods clerk, prep cook, cook, housekeeper, cheese clerk, beer and wine clerk, cashiers, meat clerks and meat and seafood leads. The company is hosting a virtual hiring event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the website, the new store’s amenities include catering, an espresso bar, pizza, soft serve ice cream and cookies.
The surrounding community and businesses eagerly await the store’s opening.
“We’re really excited,” said Bradley Richardson, executive director at the Clark County Historical Museum, located just across the street from the new store at 1511 Main St.
He expects the store to raise the visibility of the shops in the “Middle Main” area. The shops have been missing a flagship store to help draw people into the area, he added.
As for the museum, Richardson expects that New Seasons will bring in more foot traffic. The store has already connected with the museum.
“They’ve been really great neighbors,” said Bradley.
Cater-cornered from the museum is Bike Clark County, a full-service community bike shop located at 1604 Main St.
Pete Van Tilburg, executive director of Bike Clark County, said the nonprofit “is really looking forward to a grocery store amenity in our downtown community.”
He anticipates folks being able to drop off their bikes for a service or repair and then go shopping at New Seasons next door.
Vancouver’s Downtown Association also believes the soon-to-open grocery store will be a boon for the area, improving access to groceries for downtown residents and providing a “vital link between our downtown district and the neighboring Uptown Village.
“I anticipate that residents from the waterfront area will embrace the opportunity to stroll up Main Street for their grocery shopping, further fostering a sense of community and connectivity,” said Michael Walker, executive director of the association.
Walker also thinks the grocery store will become a downtown attraction, ensuring more foot traffic for local businesses.
Brian Clemens, co-owner of Relevant Coffee at 1703 Main St., agrees.
“Where New Seasons is positioned between downtown and Uptown Village, I believe it’s going to help bridge the pedestrian traffic between those areas,” said Clemens. He pointed to the blocks between Mill Plain Boulevard and 19th Street lacking any significant pedestrian traffic.
Plus, his staff and the other workers in the area will be able to run over to New Seasons now to grab something for lunch. Clemens doesn’t fear losing customers to New Seasons’ espresso bar. Though he does expect automotive traffic in the neighborhood to increase.
“This development is not only about convenience but also about making our downtown a thriving hub for residents, visitors and employees,” Walker finished.
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