The Lovell-McCall Building, site of the new Co-op

Now is the Time, Shark Rock is the Place

by Mary Blake

The Co-op’s journey has truly followed that of our mighty Columbia River’s organic, living systems process. Our story reflects the five major factors of a healthy system that practices systemic thinking. We have and understand our purpose. We know we are all interdependent. Through the exploration of complex, interrelated ideas and concepts, we emerge in a most powerful, self-organizing way. Through self adjustment and shared expectations, we not only flow together but grow into something bigger and fuller, larger than the sum of all of us, a true synthesis of higher thinking and doing.

We share thirty-two plus years of intentional like-mindedness. Now, over six hundred members and hundreds of other shoppers come together over good, healthy food. We are passionate about our Co-op. Our growth is a testament to our shared vision. Shoppers, members, management, and board members represent our world and our connectedness. Like our mighty river’s living system, we, too, have experienced some rough water, bends, meandering, eddies, log jams and dams. However, the exciting spirit of belief in our healthy system keeps our braided community flowing to a confluent synthesis.

The vision for the Lovell Building held by the Friends-Astoria Community Store, LLC is about to be realized. Rather than owned by the Co-op, the space will be leased. New friends helped with a capital loan program. Opportunities for others to help with “wish list” items like murals, rooftop gardens and even shopping carts that roll freely for our shoppers to fill will all be offered up. Our cash flow has been projected and with the most conservative conditions, we believe the time is right to move to our next phase—a facility that will be at the heart and soul of our service to offer local, fresh, good food and build community assets.

This move is historic. The building we are interested in is known as the Lovell Building. It sits on a site made famous by the “Shark Rock,” an artifact located near the building between 13th Street and 14th Street.

A Brief History of the “Shark Rock”

In 1846, the Oregon Territory was occupied by both the United States and Great Britain. In June of that year, the commodore of the Pacific Fleet sent the US Navy survey schooner USS Shark to determine which governing power the settlers supported and to assess the prosperity of the territory. Ordered to depart the area in early September, the Shark attempted to enter the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River. Though a course had been carefully planned, strong currents and stormy winds stranded the ship on sand. While the vessel was a total loss, the entire crew survived and spent the winter in Astoria. Believed to have been carved by a member of the Shark crew, the inscription on a rock located near their encampment read: “The Shark was lost Sept. 16, 1846.” (A second inscription was later added, recording the shipwreck of the Industry in 1865.)

At the time the USS Shark crew wintered in Astoria, a shallow bay extended inland as far as the old YMCA building. With the construction of a seawall some years later, the bay filled with sand and buried the “Shark Rock.” Prompted by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Astoria Kiwanis conducted an extensive excavation and located t