I wish Key Food the best of luck, but...
With Price Chopper, Shop Right, and Hannaford a few minutes down 32, it is hard to see things working out. It's just too much competition. I shop locally (in Cornwall) whenever possible, but there is no comparison in this case. We can only pray the space doesn't end up empty like it's neighbor. Anyone got some good ideas for a business? A solar-energy / alternative-fuel supplier or installer? Go-kart track?

This is really sad. What about an organic food market that also includes a bakery, local produce, local dairy, etc.? It seems to be working in Newburgh and this would be a great addition to Cornwall.

Yep - this is a tough issue. The fact is though that Key Foods prices seemed higher, selection smaller, fresh produce quality seemed not up to par, etc. For these reasons, we stopped going there except for quick convenience trips.

Much as I support the "shop locally" idea as a concept, with a large family and stagnant income - price/value has become my prime criteria for shopping. This is why the large clubs (BJs, Costco, Sam's Club, even Walmart) and the larger traditional grocers like Price Chopper, Shoprite, & Hannafords will continue to dominate and take business away from the smaller local grocers. Sad to see it - but - inevitable I think.

And yes - this will create a hardship for those older or disabled locals who don't drive and can't easily get to Vails Gate. However, this may create the opportunity for a new delivery type service for those who could afford it. ???

Wholefoods, baby! It would anchor an unbelievable Renaissance in Cornwall. You increasingly already have the right demographic in town. Interest in local and organic food is growing.

Unfortunately, a big chain like Wholefoods would be more inclined to look at a more central commercial area like Vails Gate, but a smaller outfit with enough money to update the facility might find the Keyfood space quite workable

The organic food market is a good idea - and maybe the local Community Food Coop could one day expand to fill this slot - however - I think this will be tough to manage in a tight economy where people tend to shop more for bargains and based on price than for premium products. For those who can afford it though it would be nice to have. Where in Newburgh is this business? Name?

Great idea!! Wholefoods would do very well. Let's start the new Cornwall Renaissance Committee and that will be the first order of business. Then we will tackle the rest of the empty shops in town and get everything back to where it needs to be!! :-)

The place I went to was Adams Fairacre Farms Inc. Obviously would not include the garden center but something similar with local organic food and a great bakery would be awesome! There could also be some tables and chairs inside for a fresh cup of organic coffee and a fresh pastry.

Please lets all do something for a new grocery store, Key Foods is scarey!

Time for the Cornwall Food Coop or Trader Joe's or some other alternative grocer to take over! We've suffered with Key Food long enough. The store doesn't need new fridgerators..it needs responsible clerks/mgmt to keep expired foods off the shelves. And while your're at it, move the recycling center to the side of the store. I don't like looking at garbage when I enter a food store.

Whole Foods....Trader Joes. That is what Cornwall needs.

Whole Foods is too large too commercial and too expensive, not right for a small town. Trader Joe's would be a perfect fit although it would bring the traffic as well. Too bad they don't franchise.

For all those interested in fresh, local and organic please support the Cornwall Community Co-op at 208 Hudson St. and www.cornwallcoop.com. For those of you who don't know, the Co-op is a community-based organization dedicated to bringing a range of high-quality, reasonably priced, fresh, local products to Cornwall and the surrounding communities. We believe in the importance of supporting and promoting local farmers, and we are mapping the diverse array of farms and producers in the Hudson Valley that might supply the Co-op. In addition to providing consumers with nutritious food from our region's farms and sustainable producers, the Co-op plans to hold events to increase community awareness of the value of locally grown and raised food.

Come visit us. Currently, we have store hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Just to add to what Lucinda Poindexter said about the Cornwall Community Co-op being a great source for fresh and local farm products, please note that it's a member owned and run cooperative but non-members are also welcome to shop at our store. Stop by!

To add to what Lucinda and Lynn said, the Co-Op is having its annual meeting tonight, February 4, open to members and the public. Potluck dinner at 6 and business at 7. If you care about where Cornwall gets its food, show up!

Ditto on the Co-op. It's a great resource in Cornwall. Everyone should check it out. I try and go every time I'm back in town visiting.

Not many people know this but KeyFood has a policy in which they double coupons to $1. If you have the time to cut coupons, you will get items cheaper at KeyFood than at the super stores in Vails Gate.

Also, I think that most people don't understand the financial benefit of shopping locally.

I know I would like to see a Wholefoods in town. If anyone else would like to see that happen there is a place on the Wholefoods website to request a store.