By Cynthia Orgel
Good Times, May 17, 2012
From its beginnings in late 2006, Greenspace always had a great deal
going for it. Perfectly located in the Rio Theatre shopping district, it
was affectionately nestled between such popular businesses like
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen and what was formerly Gateways Books. It
became the Santa Cruz dream: outstanding eco-friendly
goods and an owner who boasted a strong commitment to the community. It
also won raves for its home finishings and furnishings, and, in a
significant way, enabled consumers to purchase fine products, which, in
turn, helped them create better environments for their families—and even
their animals.
However, at the beginning of May, the owner and
certified kitchen designer, Lydia Corser, notified customers and friends
that Greenspace would close at the end of the month—quite an unsettling
shock to the 3,700 people on greenspace’s email list.
For
Corser, who created the interior design for Ecology Action, the color
consulting for Vivas, and the Rio’s entire floor (stained with Greenspace’s soy-based concrete stain), to note a few, the response from
her clientele means a lot. In fact, it is fuelling her hopes for a Greenspace-related future.
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” says
Corser. “I live in this community, and if Greenspace goes out of
business, I’m going to reinvent myself.”
But loyalty to Greenspace comes in all sorts of forms. Beyond the local outpouring of
support, there was a Cash Mob on May 11, which was organized by Matthew Werner, a devoted Greenspace shopper and member of Santa Cruz Woodworkers. The event eased the shop’s financial tensions, but more
importantly, it also brought customers to come together who wanted to
appreciate their favorite sustainable-living store. It was also an
opportunity for everybody to brainstorm on important next steps.
Although
this is a challenging time for Corser, her colleagues and clients, she
is positive about the future. “Our goal has been to be a lifestyle
store,” she says. “We’re open—literally and figuratively.”
Greenspace
is located at 1122 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7200. Visit greenspacecompany.com for current newsletters and updates, in addition
to the extensive online catalogue.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
'Cash Mob' brings 150 shoppers to Greenspace in Santa Cruz on Friday
Posted:
05/11/2012 09:40:56 PM PDT
SANTA
CRUZ - For a mob, these shoppers were awfully polite. They didn't
scream or fight over the merchandise, and most of them used credit cards
rather than cash. But they did make the register sing and that put a
smile of the face of Greenspace owner Lydia Corser.
Read the rest of the story here...
Stu Branoff, of Santa Cruz, pays for his items in cash as Greenspace owner... (JON WEIAND/SENTINEL) |
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Way Will Open
A letter from Lydia Corser, owner of Greenspace...
Dear colleagues, customers, and friends-
My
mother reminded me of this Quaker saying recently, which was passed to
her by my own Quaker grandma. It is the message I am holding in my heart
as we move forward with the closing of the store.
Today,
I write to you with an overflowing heart, because the response to our
closing notice has been tremendous. We have been told every day for
5-1/2 years that greenspace is wonderful, but I didn't realize until
this outpouring, how valued we truly are.
I'm
working on what is next for greenspace, my own career, and my beloved
employees. For myself, getting back to my interior design roots is a
no-brainer. And there are so many wonderful green options for remodeling
now that I can no longer carry all the samples in the back of my car.
Plus, I love making and selling paint, stains and finishes you can't get
anywhere else. All of that takes up space.
So,
a new idea is taking root in me. What if we jettison the practical
items that you can get other places, like cleaning products, baby
clothes, and Klean Kanteens, and focus on paint, flooring, countertops,
tile, finishes, beds and bedding? What do you think of that idea?
I
want to hear from all of you: customers, contractors, interior
designers, architects - would you continue to support us as you have
these past 5-1/2 years? And be honest. Serve up your thoughts and
advice. We can take what resonates as we move forward.
We
at greenspace have staked our reputation on weeding through the
literature, researching the products, companies and processes, then
providing the best choices we can find as locally as possible. We would
like to continue doing that, if you have projects and want us to.
Let
us know. Come on in. Are you ready to do a project? Order your
flooring, paint, tile, & countertops. We need to know. You, too,
fellow professionals. You are a foundation of our business. Is this the
way that will open?
Thanks again to all of you,
Lydia
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Sentinel gets the word out...
Jondi Gumz (love that name) wrote a piece about the cash mob for Greenspace in the Santa Cruz Sentinel today.
Check it here.
Check it here.
Lydia Corser, owner of home and business store Greenspace, stands with Matt Werner, a local furniture maker, at Greenspace in Santa Cruz on Thursday. Werner is organizing a "cash mob" to help the struggling business stay afloat. (Jon Weiand/Sentinel)
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Greenspace Is...
Greenspace is the kind of eco-friendly store that would shudder - if a
store could shudder - at the mindless purchasing that the very idea of a
Cash Mob would seem to promote. So let's make Greenspace proud: Let's
show up on May 11th with very clear ideas of things that we need in our
lives to help us on our paths to sustainable living. Cloth grocery
bags? They've got them. Glass storage containers?
Check. Canning jars? Yep, and the gorgeous Weck kind, even. Water
filtration systems, educational books, environmentally-friendly cleaning
supplies, check check check.
And if you happen to have a painting job in your plans; if you need more bedding or towels; if you're doing any home remodeling - they have the best-curated selection of eco-friendly paints and stains, organic linens, countertops, tiles, etc., anywhere in the area.
We are truly fortunate to have had this store in our town; let's show them our appreciation.
(thanks to Polly Goldman for this post)
And if you happen to have a painting job in your plans; if you need more bedding or towels; if you're doing any home remodeling - they have the best-curated selection of eco-friendly paints and stains, organic linens, countertops, tiles, etc., anywhere in the area.
We are truly fortunate to have had this store in our town; let's show them our appreciation.
(thanks to Polly Goldman for this post)
Cash Mob Greenspace
On May 1 I saw a national TV piece about cash mobs and thought (in the abstract), that would be a fun thing to do for a local business. On May 2 I received the sad news that a favorite local business was deciding to close its doors. Greenspace has held on through one of the worst economic and construction downturns in history, but they've reached the end of the road.
It feels a day late and a dollar short, but we are planning a Cash Mob for Greenspace on Friday, May 11th, from 4 to 6pm. If that time isn't convenient, come when you can. The address is 1122 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA.
Although it is too late to save Greenspace, we can:
Cash Mob rules are simple:
It feels a day late and a dollar short, but we are planning a Cash Mob for Greenspace on Friday, May 11th, from 4 to 6pm. If that time isn't convenient, come when you can. The address is 1122 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA.
Although it is too late to save Greenspace, we can:
- Help them close out on a positive note;
- Clear some of their inventory;
- Express our gratitude for all their work to make green products available in Santa Cruz.
Cash Mob rules are simple:
- Spend $20;
- Meet three people you didn’t know before;
- HAVE FUN!!!
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