In the pulsating heart of Seattle, where the buzz of commerce meets the rhythm of community life, PCC Community Markets is making their stores a new kind point of destination.
This isn't just about groceries; it's about revolutionizing the shopping experience, transforming it from a routine errand into a journey of inclusion and care.
With the dawn of February 18, PCC has opened its doors earlier on Sunday mornings and opened its heart to those for whom the world is often overwhelmingly loud and bright. From 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the hustle of commerce will give way to a sanctuary of calm, where lights soften, music fades into silence, and the busy sounds of stocking shelves take a pause, all to welcome members with sensory processing or autism spectrum disorders.
Mega-grocer Walmart also has a policy for quiet hours, but few are found in the heart of a city.
It's the story of PCC's unwavering commitment to weaving the fabric of community into every facet of its operations. For CEO Krish Srinivasan, PCC is not just a store but a legacy of cooperative principles.
Cooperative groceries account for about $2.3 billion of the $885 Billion US grocery industry or .25%, yet their impact on shop-local communities is significant.
Grocers are the ultimate retail point of destination; nearly everyone shops for food items. As the nature of the grocery business changes, we find more services and selections there.
However, PCC is a cooperative, which means it has a triple-bottom-line. The line is measured in community engagement, wages, buying local, and member control over food items. I shop at PCC because it allows me to access a vast array of bulk items and stock up or buy enough for a single meal.
PCC Community Markets is not just setting the bar for grocery retail; it's redefining the essence of what it means to be a part of the community it serves. This is more than shopping; it's a movement towards a more inclusive, empathetic world, one quiet hour at a time.
