Good Harvest Market in Waukesha wouldn't be moving far.
But a new location would offer more space and more amenities for a growing store, City Planner Doug Koehler said.
'The relocation is needed because they needed more space,' Koehler said. 'They're really thriving there.'
The market, which has been at its current location of 1850 Meadow Lane (just south of I-94 at Highway T/Grandview) for nine years, would move on 5.21 acres of land at the west terminus of Meadow Lane south of Silvernail Road.
The Plan Commission gave the project unanimous preliminary approval at its meeting last week.
Compared to its current 12,700-square-foot store, the new store would be 18,000-square-feet, plus space for a green dry cleaner for clothing and a 6,000-square-foot second floor for a few offices and other rental space.
The commission also approved declaring a vacated former street along Silvernail Road surplus land. The 0.67 acres of land is currently city-owned but Good Harvest, an organic grocer, is looking at it for easier access onto Silvernail.
The Common Council will now vote on whether the land will be ruled surplus.
Koehler also said the owners, Joe and Jody Nolan, are looking at acquiring a western portion of Meadow Lane to incorporate more parking. Nolan said the new site would have 50 percent more parking.
Joe Nolan said the new store would also offer space for a bigger café.
'We seat 30 now and a new café would double that with a separate area for more casual seating,' Joe Nolan said. 'It would also be able to close itself off from the rest of the store to allow us to open for breakfast and perhaps be open later as well (after store hours).'
He said the store would also be able to have space to close off for private dinner parties and functions.
'If a local business wants a room for a business meeting and want to offer healthier food choices, they could use this space,' Joe Nolan said.
He said Good Harvest is negotiating to lease the second-floor space to a local business, which runs a yoga studio, massage and other services. Other tenants could include a chiropractor or holistic physician, Joe Nolan said. He added the store is also planning on having a green roof, perhaps growing herbs to use in the café.
'Green roofs do a great job of reducing energy costs and reducing water runoff,' Joe Nolan said.
Good Harvest currently has 50 employees, but when the new store opens that could increase to 60.
Joe Nolan said Good Harvest wants to start construction in April so they can open before Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, the Plan Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled due to a lack of items on the agenda, Koehler said.
The next meeting is Feb. 12.