The Beer and Wine Department at the Co-op Is Now Quite Good

Leandra started working at our local co-op nearly a year ago. She’s been managing beer and wine, handling some outreach duties and seems to be wearing other hats as needed.

I’ve recently learned that she’ll soon be overseeing outreach on a full-time basis. The job change is a promotion of sorts and I’m excited for her. But, before she leaves her post at beer and wine, I wanted to explain how much she’s improved that department.

I’ve been shopping at the co-op (in Takoma Park) for the past few years. It’s been my primary grocery store during that time. And I remember when they first started selling alcohol — over two years ago.

The co-op carried a lot of local beer. The craft brewing scene in the Washington, D.C. area is strong and so there were normally some good options to choose from.

On the other hand, many of the beers I liked most were frequently out of stock. And at times, especially during the weekends, there’d hardly be anything good available at all. The co-op also didn’t appear to be trying new beers or rotating what they were buying.

The wine selection was decent, yet poorly organized. And a lot of the cheaper bottles (for under $10) were terrible. I didn’t understand why the co-op kept offering them.

Additionally, price tags and labels were consistently missing. Again, stuff was poorly organized. Everything left a lot to be desired.

About a year ago, Leandra had been frustrated with her job and was hoping to make a change. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, though she clearly wanted to build on her longstanding ties to Takoma Park and her recent experience with cocktails and craft beer. She wanted a degree of autonomy and something that she could truly call her own.

She hit the ground running at the co-op and started shaking things up even faster than I anticipated. The range of beers that the co-op is offering has expanded significantly and the shelves are consistently stocked. Leandra has introduced a new sticker system so that buyers know what’s vegan, local and sustainably produced.

The beer selection rocks.

Turning to wine, things look so much better there too. A lot of the really bad wines are no longer being carried. And Leandra’s made sure that she’s putting a lot of local and thoughtfully produced stuff on the shelves. Now, when I shop there, the labels are in place and I actually know what all the bottles cost. She has put that helpful sticker system in the wine section too.

We should also consider her warm and friendly presence.

I shopped at the co-op for two years and I never spoke with anyone there about beer or wine. Nobody ever asked me if I was looking for anything in particular. Nobody was ever around. I didn’t even think there was a person actually responsible for beer and wine because the department seemed so neglected.

That’s no longer the case.

Sometimes, when I go in to see Leandra when she’s working, I’ll witness her speaking with customers and asking if there’s anything specific that they’re looking for. I’ve seen her gracefully and cheerfully handle beer and wine questions (and complaints) from customers.

More generally, she’s added a vibrancy and sophistication to the department that — prior to her arrival — was nowhere in sight.

In short, the beer and wine department at the local co-op is looking very good — and that makes me happy. But what makes me even happier is knowing that these changes have been initiated by my incredible wife. She’s worked hard and her hard work is paying off. People are commenting about her department; I’ve witnessed this firsthand. People are noticing that it’s different — that significant improvements have been made.

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see Leandra happy — doing something she’s passionate about, involved in her community and learning on the job.

Of course, she’s a terrific fit for the outreach position and will thrive there too.