To help respond to community hopes, requests, and suggestions, the incoming PCC grocery store at 23rd and Union is planning to hold two public meetings later this month. Meanwhile, after company officials pledged to try to hire about half of the new store’s staff from the surrounding area, PCC has also announced an upcoming job fair.

CHS broke the news last week that the Seattle cooperative grocery chain was set to replace financially troubled New Seasons in a supermarket space waiting for its new tenant on the northwest corner of 23rd and Union.

Company officials and CEO Cate Hardy met with a small group of neighbors and community groups last week as the project was first announced. Hardy told CHS that questions centered around jobs — about half of the new hires will come from the surrounding neighborhood, Hardy said — and the types of produce and products the store will carry. “As soon as we learned New Seasons was not going to be opened there, we moved to make sure the community would have access to our fresh produce and groceries,” Hardy said.

The upcoming community meetings on Tuesday, January 14th and a daytime session on Saturday, February 1st will take place at the Garfield Community Center at 23rd and Cherry. UPDATE: The 1/14 session has been postponed due to weather.

Meanwhile, PCC says the new store will bring around 100 “union jobs” to the neighborhood. Hardy told CHS her goal is for about half of the new hires to come from the surrounding neighborhood. If you’re interested, bring your resume to one of the upcoming PCC job fairs planned through March at the Douglass-Truth Library, 2300 E Yesler Way.

Wednesday, January 29th : 3:30-6:30

Monday February 10th : 3:30-6:30

Thursday, February 27th: 10:30-1:30

Saturday, March 14th: 10:30-1:30

Thursday, March 26th: 10:30-1:30

Saturday, April 4th: 10:30-1:30

Monday, April 6th: 3:30-6:30

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