That changed March 13. Fresh pineapples - golden, sweet, spiky ones - are the first things customers now see upon entering Chester's Co-Op's new, six-day-a-week location at 512 Avenue of the States.
Assuming that Chester Spoadie, natty at 81, hasn't first greeted them at the door.
"These are Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet pineapples," said Tina Johnson, the force of nature behind the sparkling community-owned venture that's opened in the former Lou's Pawnshop.
"We've got mangoes, cantaloupe, honeydew, and bananas for 30 cents a pound. Where are you going to find bananas for that price?"
Tuesday was mostly a family affair at the co-op. Johnson's twin sister, Nessie - up from Florida for the launch - was busy stocking shelves. Their mom, LarRaine Branch, was giving a tour to two women from the Chester Housing Authority who'd come by during their lunch break.
The co-op has some rules, Branch explained to the two women. Shoppers are members, which means they share ownership of the business. Everyone works there for 2 hours and 45 minutes each month - from sweeping and stocking to working the register and keeping the books. This builds loyalty and skills
To become a member, each household must pay $50, then come up with an additional $200, which is refundable if the family moves or quits, and which can be paid in $10 installments. That provides the buying power that lets the co-op sell mangoes for 69 cents.
However you cut it, $250 is an investment, the women said afterward. They'd have to talk about it with their families.
But at least one of them was leaning toward it.
"At this time, there's no alternative," said Wilsa Charles, a housing authority compliance specialist. "We don't have a market here. So this is a breath of fresh air. It's clean. It's convenient. I'm really interested."
