SLOW the flock down…and other musings on the Co-op parking lot.
By Kenna S Eaton, GM.
I love those funny signs on county roads that remind us to slow down and drive carefully. They are all aimed at making sure everyone is safe on the roads, even those chickens. And we know our parking lot is one of those key places where we all can be better community members.
We appreciate that our parking lot is crowded and many of you wish it were bigger. Sadly, that is not a viable option in this location. And given these tight quarters it may be no surprise to you that recently there has been a spate of near misses (when people and vehicles almost collide but don’t), as well as collisions. Yikes! What is happening here?
I can’t truly answer that question, but I can make several guesses. First our parking lot is smaller and more crowded that other grocery stores. It is weirdly laid out and has multiple entrances and exits making it hard to navigate. Also, our parking lot is often crowded with delivery trucks as well as cars, trucks and camper vans, making it tough to traverse, and hard to see what, or even who, is around the car next to us. Not to mention the challenge of backing up, and not into one of those random trucks. And here’s another one: we sell great food and sometimes our shoppers are in a hurry to get thru our doors before we sell out of their favorite ______ (you fill in the blank).
Regardless of the reason for the painful interactions, we are asking everyone to take care of themselves and others when driving at the Co-op, as we aren’t able or willing to police the parking in the lot. Instead, we suggest you slow down, be civil and wait your turn. Please limit your time in our lot and eat your lunch or listen to that podcast elsewhere. And please look around you before backing up, driving in the wrong way and/or racing to get your favorite spot (yes, I’ve seen you do that multiple times).
Over the next few months, we’ll be adding more signage (to remind us to slow down for kids, bicycles and maybe even those chickens), and sending out more frequent reminders to take care. And next year when it’s paving season, we hope to install speed bumps not everyone’s favorite solution for sure, but hopefully effective.
Yours in safety-- Kenna