‘We’re Open’ - Lydia Corser of greenspace opens up about the popular store’s future

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.