Latest news with #Cornucopia
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Despite pending change in location, Cornucopia owners plan to stay true to mission
NORTHAMPTON — Cornucopia Natural Wellness Market will close its doors in Thornes Marketplace on June 30 in preparation for a move to a more sustainable location. Jade Jump and Nate Clifford, owners of the natural market that has been a mainstay in the Northampton community since 1980, are actively searching the region for a more affordable site. So far, when considering the realities of post-pandemic retail spaces, Holyoke and Easthampton are contenders, they said. 'Our mission has always been to bring good, clean, organic food to people who don't have easy access to it,' said Clifford, 'and that's part of the reason why Holyoke is so appealing.' The couple bought the natural grocery store in 2019 and, according to Jump, had 'the best year ever.' Then the pandemic hit. Cornucopia closed for three months and then reopened for curbside delivery before it was able to fully reopen as a store. According to Clifford, sales haven't been the same since then. Clifford said that, despite keeping a good profit margin and a tight expense record, sales have still been down 35% since 2019. 'The only way that we survived has been just being extremely scrappy,' said Clifford. 'Two years ago, we were like, 'This is what we need to get to in order to survive,' and we never got there. So we had to make the decision to leave before the decision was made for us.' Cornucopia is not an anomaly in downtown Northampton, though. Since 2019, it has been estimated that at least 20 local downtown businesses have closed their doors, according to local reports, altering the face of the shopping and restaurant mecca in the Valley. This total does not include local businesses that have moved to neighboring towns like Easthampton. When queried about the closures, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra's office issued a statement, wishing the business well in its endeavors. Vince Jackson, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, said that, while he is heartbroken to see Cornucopia leave, he doesn't believe high rents are a problem, as some new businesses continue to open their doors. 'Commercial rents on a square-foot basis have remained stable for well over 10 years,' said Jackson, citing chamber tallies. From his perspective, Clifford had to disagree. He said that, while people are shopping less post-pandemic, commercial rents in Northampton have stayed the same as pre-pandemic times. 'Retail is fundamentally different.' he said. 'We can only go by the numbers, and the data shows that we're down nearly 35% from a foot-traffic standpoint.' To prepare for moving costs, Cornucopia is having a storewide sale and has set up a GoFundMe account. While they are able to move without the GoFundMe, Clifford said that having an extra cushion will determine how much they can do in their new space. Throughout this change, both Clifford and Jump still value the community that has been a market pillar for decades. Clifford reflected on how the care from customers got him through when his father died unexpectedly last year. 'I just got hugs and support for weeks and weeks and weeks,' he said. 'I don't think people realize how much that helped me get through it.' Jump recalled pandemic times, when they were doing curbside deliveries while she was pregnant, working up until the day she gave birth. 'I think people see and realize that we are authentic, and we genuinely care, and we genuinely love what we do, and we want to make a difference,' she said. Community has long been an integral piece of the store's ethos. Jump and Clifford often have hand-delivered orders if a customer has a mobility or health problem and is unable to come to the store. The care has been reciprocal. Jump said 98% of the response to their move announcement has been supportive, with customers stating, 'wherever you go, we will follow.' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After four decades, Cornucopia prepares to leave Northampton
NORTHAMPTON — The city's independent health food store, Cornucopia Natural Wellness Market, is leaving town on June 30, looking for new and less expensive horizons. In a social media post Tuesday, owners Jade Jump and Nate Clifford announced that they 'have had to make the hard decision to move our location.' Jump and Clifford bought the natural grocer at the beginning of 2019, and according to Jump, had 'the best year ever.' A worldwide pandemic cut that success short, though, when the independent grocer closed for three months and reopened initially for curbside delivery. While Cornucopia has seen steady growth since reopening, Jump said it is not enough to sustain rent in Northampton or Thornes Marketplace. 'COVID changed everything,' said Jump. The couple is still passionate about their store's mission to support the local community with organic products that promote a 'healthy, socially conscious, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.' This passion, though, now requires them to reconsider a new location where the store can thrive — possibly Holyoke. While this new location is unconfirmed, Jump said they are meeting with the Holyoke Planning Board and are excited about the possibility of a new central location for many of their customers. To assist with moving expenses, Cornucopia is having an in-store moving sale and has posted a GoFundMe account, hoping to raise $150,000. Read the original article on MassLive.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
TV & Film Picks: Kian's Bizarre B&B, Bjork: Cornucopia, The Accountant 2
(From left) BTS' Jin with cartoonist-host Kian84 and actress Ji Ye-eun in Netflix's South Korean variety series Kian's Bizarre B&B. PHOTO: NETFLIX Kian's Bizarre B&B Netflix The nine-episode South Korean variety series is the brainchild of popular South Korean webtoonist-TV host Kim Hee-min. Better known by his pen name Kian84, he designed a quirky guesthouse set on a floating barge in the ocean off Ulleungdo Island, a popular holiday destination in South Korea. Together with boy band BTS' Jin and South Korean actress Ji Ye-eun, the trio host holidaymakers in a space where guests have to climb a rock wall to enter and go down a slide to exit. Sleeping arrangements are bunk beds suspended on the external walls, where guests must brave the elements. The dining area is on a lower level accessible only via a fireman's pole and guests are asked to eat with their hands to be 'one with the food'. While the series lives up to its 'bizarre' title, it should also be called The Jin Show as the K-pop global star is the anchor of the show. Not only does he cook and clean, but he is also the voice of reason in chaotic situations. His disarming appeal and natural comic timing keep the otherwise ridiculous show afloat. Kian's Bizarre B&B is one of Netflix's global top 10 non-English shows since its premiere on April 8. The trio have since teased their return with a second season. Bjork: Cornucopia 99 minutes, exclusively at The Projector on May 7 Concert film Bjork: Cornucopia will be released in 500 cinemas in more than 25 countries on May 7. PHOTO: SANTIAGO FELIPE Bjork's theatrical concert film Cornucopia will be released in 500 cinemas in more than 25 countries on May 7, and fans of the Icelandic singer can watch the film exclusively at The Projector on the same day. Cornucopia is taken from Bjork's eponymous concert in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of her concert world tour, which debuted in 2019 in New York City and ended in Bordeaux, France, in 2023. Known for her avant-garde live performances and groundbreaking music, Bjork told music publication Rolling Stone in 2023 that the concert tour was the most ambitious project she had travelled with. The film features three new music videos and includes 25 minutes of extra content not found in the version released on Apple TV+ in January. Featuring material from her 2017 album Utopia and 2022's Fossora, the film also incorporates instruments such as a magnetic harp, a circular flute and an aluphone . Where: 05-01 Cineleisure, 8 Grange Road MRT: Somerset When: May 7, 8pm Admission: $16 Info: The Accountant 2 (NC16) 132 minutes, now showing ★★★☆☆ (From left) Jon Bernthal and Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2. PHOTO: WBEI The actioner picks up eight years after the events of The Accountant (2016) and, this time, Ben Affleck's Christian, an accountant who is autistic , is joined by brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to take down a criminal organisation. The Accountant was among the first Hollywood movies to view autism as something akin to a comic-book superpower. It also showed that Christian was trained by his strict military father to suppress the 'bad' traits while letting the 'good' ones through, like his ability to memorise and regurgitate the United States tax code. The film is fairly decent in delivering competent action and suspense, as one would expect from action film franchises such as The Equalizer (2014 to 2023) or Jack Reacher (2012 and 2016). Perhaps realising that Affleck's character works best when placed against a foil, the story brings in Braxton early on, so the two can spend the rest of the movie swopping bro banter and working out their issues while mowing down waves of henchmen. – John Lui Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Björk announces global cinema release of Cornucopia concert film
ADVERTISEMENT Icelandic wonder Björk has announced that her new concert film Cornucopia will be getting a 'limited release' in theatres globally. The upcoming release, in collaboration with Mercury Studios, is described as capturing the magic of the singer's most elaborate live performance to date. The theatre release has a run time of 1h39, and also comes with an additional screening of three music videos – each curated by the iconic Icelandic singer. It will be available in approximately 500 cinemas in over 25 countries on 7 May – including Germany, UK, Denmark, Sweden and the US. Spain will get the release on 8 May, while France's date is set for 11 May. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Björk (@bjork) 'The Cornucopia concert film offers a rare opportunity to experience the full magic of the original show in stunning 4K and Dolby Atmos in a cinematic environment, making it an unmissable event for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike,' reads a press release. The Cornucopia concert tour, based on Björk's studio albums 'Utopia' (2017) and later 'Fossora' (2022), ran from May 2019 to December 2023 and was comprised of 45 shows across North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. It was a music and theatre hybrid, featuring direction from acclaimed Argentine filmmaker Lucretia Martel. Amy Freshwater, VP Content Acquisition Mercury Studios said: 'Experiencing a visual performer's concert on the cinema screen isn't just watching a show – it's immersing yourself in the full scale of their artistry in the way Björk intended when designing the spectacle of 'Cornucopia'." Björk AP Photo Elsewhere, Björk went on the record to state that Spotify 'is probably the worst thing that has happened to musicians.' Speaking to Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter, the Icelandic artist recently discussed her preference for creating new music over touring . 'The live part is, and always will be, a big part of what I do,' she said, adding: 'I'm lucky because I no longer have to raise money on touring, which younger musicians are often forced to do.' 'In that respect,' she continued, 'Spotify is probably the worst thing that has happened to musicians. The streaming culture has changed an entire society and an entire generation of artists.' It isn't the first time that Björk has been critical of streaming platforms, and even refused for her album 'Vulnicura' to be released on Spotify in 2015. 'Vulnicura' turned 10 in January. In our Album Anniversary review from January, we said: 'Anyone who's been through heartbreak can attest that it's not pretty. Healing is never easy, and it isn't a quick process. However, in Björk's hands, sentimental anguish can be beautiful.' You can read the full review here . Björk's second album, 'Post', turns 30 in June 2025.
