South Side landlord has big, sustainable ideas for her buildings
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Elisa Beck has big plans for the venerable Schwartz Market, a South Side fixture since the late 1920s.
Last August, she persuaded the owners they could boost business among the South Side's younger population, including non-natives and people who work in the neighborhood but prefer to buy groceries elsewhere.
With a struggling profit margin, the store began integrating its traditional inventory with organic and local food. It joined the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. Ms. Beck, who owns the building but not the business, was making plans for a collaborative compost venture with nearby food businesses when the owners decided it was time to pass the baton.
"After 54 years in the grocery business, I would like to retire," said Marty Dorfner, who, with his wife, Audrey, and Richard and Donna Stanton, bought the store in 1985. Both couples decided to leave the scene together, he said.
"I am 68. I have an ice cream/dairy store in Bridgeville where I can work part time and have the rest of the time for myself."
He said the green plans Ms. Beck has for the property was not the reason for his decision.
Since March, Ms. Beck has been convening South Siders, sustainable-food enthusiasts and others to brainstorm ways to ensure a grocery future at 1317 E. Carson St. Her initial hope was for a cooperative similar to the East End Food Co-op, she said.
Pending a lease agreement, she has found in Wayne Hancock and Rade Opacic a willing grocer and a developer who say they want the focus of the project to be on fresh, local, clean and green.
Mr. Hancock proposes an IGA store, with the working name of Market on Carson-IGA. Ms. Beck said the store can transition from the current owners to new owners within 60-90 days.
Mr. Opacic is a developer. He discussed the possibilities of a solar-energy collection system and a roof garden and other initiatives to make the building energy efficient if not energy independent.
First Published May 16, 2010 11:14 pm
