Co-op eyes Chapel Street for future relocation

By Josh Marks

Two months after facing the biggest hurdle in its century-old history, the Yale Co-op has narrowed its search for new retail space to the upper Chapel Street area. Since the University failed to renew the Co-op's lease on Broadway in December, Co-op President Harry Berkowitz has focused on finding a viable location in his efforts to keep the store alive. Chapel Street merchants expressed mixed reactions to the developments, in particular to the arrival of the Barnes & Noble mega bookstore chain.

Co-op management said it is looking for a location that will provide "one-stop shopping." "We need to have a place where 130 or 140 [people] can still be accommodated," Berkowitz said. "We've looked at every alley within a four-mile radius." Potential sites include the Chapel Square Mall and the area around Toad's Place on York Street.

Wherever the Co-op moves, the store will face stiff competition from Barnes & Noble. About four years ago, for instance, the opening of two large Barnes & Noble stores in North Haven and Milford took about 10 percent of the Co-op's book business. "It took us about half a year to stabilize and for us to get all our volume back," Berkowitz said.

Chapel Street vendors are also worried about Barnes and Noble arriving on campus. Diarmuid Kennedy, owner of Atticus bookstore on Chapel, said, "We've all been concerned more about what Barnes & Noble's been doing [than competition from a relocated Co-op]. Independent bookstores have been fighting the tide of big stores."

Also high on Berkowitz's list of concerns is financing the Co-op's move and overhaul. "We've got to have enough money to do [the move] correctly," Berkowitz said.

Shiavone Management and Chapel Investment--who control many of the surrounding area properties--welcomed the Co-op's possible move to Chapel Street. John Wareck of Chapel Investment said, "It would really increase foot traffic."

Many Chapel Street store owners welcomed the Co-op's possible move to the retail area, despite the increased competition. Jim Civitello, manager of Enson's Gentlemen's Fashions, said, "I feel sorry [the Co-op] had to move...[but] they're welcome to come. Competition is what this country is built on."

Area businesses expressed concern over the Co-op's future. Willoughby's Manager Tim Piser said he doesn't think the store will last after its move. Kennedy added that he was worried about the future of all area bookstores. "[Barnes & Noble is] going to take a bite out of business," he forecasted.

Nevertheless, the Co-op's management is optimistic. "As for the city and Connecticut, the Co-op has been one of the best kept secrets around," Berkowitz said. He said he is anxious to tap into a new downtown clientèle. New Haven resident Allison Manges, who spends her lunch breaks downtown, responded, "I think it would be really good to have something in this area." Another noontime regular, Joanna Degnall, said, "Right now there's nothing downtown.... That's why I changed my lunch hour from an hour to a half-hour."

The Co-op's relocation to Chapel would be an additional step in the continuing effort by Shiavone Management to improve the Upper Chapel area. "I think they've [Shiavone] done a real good job. Before...it was a fairly dangerous area," Piser said.

A new Chapel Street crowd will have to make up for the Co-op's possible loss of the Yale market, the store's best customers. "The Great American Consumer is loyal as long as they get what they want," Berkowitz noted.

Yet Yale undergrads seem lacking in such loyalty. Greg Tigani, TD '00, said, "[I] feel no loyalty to the Co-op. [What matters is] where prices are lowest, and selection and quality are the best. Location doesn't make much of a difference." John Yun, JE '99, said where he shops "depends on what [Barnes & Noble and the Co-op] have and where they are." Back to News...