Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe – Nine Mile Road

Ever’man Natural Foods, a cooperative health food store based in Pensacola, Florida, has been an active leader in offering natural and organic foods not only in the Pensacola area, but throughout the Gulf Coast region since the early 1970s.  After renovating their downtown location in 2014, they decided to expand and open a second store in the growing northern region of Pensacola.  While they were at the time an ever-growing 11,000+ members strong, the co-op’s typical shopper drove 25 miles on each visit to the downtown location. The Nine Mile store now provides more convenient access for many members, while also furthering the brand’s commitment to provide not only accessible, nutritious foods to the local community but also strengthens their commitment to being a community resource and partner.

The design of the store needed to be iconic, enhancing the brand while providing a family-friendly shopping experience. The double-height canopy and entry space draws on design elements drew from the flagship store, while creating a more contemporary feel. Sustainability is a vital aspect of the co-op’s ethos and was an important factor in the design process. Our team incorporated this ethos in our design by featuring daylighting strategies, a “green” refrigeration system, LED lighting, electric car-charging stations, and other energy-reducing measures.