The Co-op's interior storage and display area has been extended
Maleny’s Maple Street Co-Op turns 30 this year and it’s ethical base of fresh, organic and sustainable foods is stronger than ever. Under its new manager Karen Syrmis, the Co-Op is growing financially stronger and taking on new initiatives. The Hinterland Times managed to interrupt Karen’s busy schedule to find out how she is orchestrating changes in the heart of Maleny’s main street.
The Maleny Co-Op is in fact two co-ops – the food cooperative, and next door the UpFront Club. They combined in 2007 and overall manager since July last year, Karen Syrmis bustles from one to another, admitting with a laugh that she needs a split personality to cope.
She is overseeing current renovations of the co-op, settling in a new chef and staff at the Upfront Club, as well as scrutinising expansion of its seating and outside eating areas.
“It is a challenge managing two different sides of the business. But we have great staff and they are proactive. I must say I had forgotten how difficult hospitality was. You give your heart and soul seven days … and nights … to hospitality. But it’s really enjoyable.
“You need really good managers and supervisors in both places . And we do at the Co-Op with Sue, Laurie and Cobi, and next door at the Club with Tim and Anthony and Sharon back of house. They look after their own departments, and we sit down weekly to talk about how everything’s going. We have staff meetings as well, where ideas are generated and they have ownership of what they can create”.
Karen has a strong business background so she’s not tentative about taking the tough decisions or reticent to stamp out poor performance. It’s a rare mix of modern business practice and a recognition that ageless co-operative ethics are still valued.
“It’s the Co-Op’s old-fashioned look and strong customer service that bring people in” says Karen. “Remembering people’s names, getting in products that they’re looking for – that old-fashioned service is lost in some of the big corporate shopping places, and it’s what people are turning back to”.
One of Karen’s major projects during 2009 is the creation of a community garden behind the Co-Op building. This will be a partnership (in true Maleny co-operative style) between Barung Landcare, Sustainable Maleny, and with input from Council and the State Government. This small (about a quarter acre garden) will feed organic edible foods into the Co-Op – mainly fresh greens and herbs – produce that they sell constantly.
“It will benefit the community, the Co-Op and the UpFront club”, says Karen. “We also see TAFE and other learning outcomes from the garden”, she adds.
A very timely donation of $5000, and free plans drawn up by Steve Crann, will be used to expand the back deck of the Club as well as tidy up the garden dining area. A new liquor licence (see box) now enables more flexibility for functions and the serving of alcohol at the Club which is open at nights on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Karen Syrmis, with the guidance of the Co-Op board, is putting new business energy into the Co-Op; at the same time though, there’s no fiddling with the fundamental s of co-operative shopping.
“The Co-Op will continue promoting health and well-being in a sustainable way”, says Karen.” So the products have to reflect that, the books have to reflect that, and the staff reflect that. They believe in what they are selling. They are very passionate about what they sell; what we will carry and whether or not it has an ethical background. In that respect there are a lot of products that people ask for that we won’t carry.
“It is an unhealthy world we are living in, ecologically and ethically. This reflects where we want the Co-Op to go for the future of our wellbeing. “
New UpFront Liquor Laws
The State’s Liquor Licensing Division has approved a new On and Off Premises Meals Licence for Maleny’s UpFront Club. This means non-members no longer have to sign in, and the Club can also serve alcohol to people seated at tables on the footpath. Additional new rules provide for the serving of alcohol to all tables behind the building. While this now restricts smokers in that area, Club management is planning an area for smokers on the Co-op site next door.
Music maestro of the UpFront Club, Danny Rose says, “We attract a terrific diversity of local and visiting original and covers acts each month who appreciate our audience and atmosphere. Check www.upfrontclub.org for the updated program including links to artists’ sites. Monday’s Musos’ Blackboard has been popular with surprise appearances from various styles and ages in the fifteen minute spots. Our renovations in 2006 included quality JBL speakers in the ceiling which prevents any spread of sound to disturb the township. Staff report that noise levels are well below the limit of 93 decibels.”
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