Photos and text by Jodi Vilardi

A bunch of Co-op members walked to the village location on its closing day, Thursday, February 6th. This was Paula Emery’s brilliant idea for ONE last Walk. The event was a mix of playfulness and loss. We paraded from the church wall to the Co-op and shopped, sang and played kazoos and instruments inside, sharing merriment and stories with the closing Co-op staff. We kazooed “Taps” as the village Co-op “OPEN” flag was lowered one last time. 

Heard during this event:

“How long have you been a member?” “Since ’82 . . . ‘99 . . . ‘87, etc .”

“My parents were members, now I am a member too”

“I have been a member for 26 years.” 

“I have been a member since April”

“The Co-op’s  got such a long rich history, I wanted to be a part of this” 

“That corner has herbed and spiced my meals for 40 years”

The closing of the village Co-op signifies the end of an era. There was lots of discussion about a walking path to the Plainfield Co-op on Route 2. TBD 

Goodbye, 153 Main Street!

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