Co-op Parts Ways
With New Manager

After just three months as general manager of the Randolph Cooperative Market, Patty Pendergast has left her position, according to a release from the Co-op's governing body, the Council.

Pendergast had succeeded Jeff Dutton, who stepped down in August. Her leadership energy was cited just a month ago by the Council at the time it announced publicly that the co-op is facing a financial crisis that could force it to close within six months.

Pendergast had sparked that public announcement by calling an emergency meeting of the Council, to tell them of the financial dilemma. Her new leadership has been cited repeatedly in letters from co-op members, as evidence of a positive new direction.

However, an abrupt parting of the ways came this last weekend. The decision came at the end of her three-month trial period and was mutually agreed upon by Pendergast and the nine-member Council. Both sides stressed this was an amicable decision.

Council President Kory Hirak said that "Patty brought a lot of positive energy to the co-op and the Randolph community in general. We are incredibly grateful to her and plan to build on the good work she started here."

In a letter to The Herald this week, Pendergast explained that "it's become clear that the skills I bring to the table are not broad enough to encompass the needs of the Co-op today, and so I am stepping down as general manager."

When she was first hired, it was mentioned that she had a strong background in agriculture and land use policy and in running conservation non-profit organizations. She did not have substantial experience in retail, however.

Even though she's leaving as general manager, Pendergast said in her letter, "that doesn't mean I am leaving the Co-op. This market is bigger than one person, one group, or even the town it is the sum of many hearts, minds, hands … and mouths. You (and I) must continue to shop there to keep the shelves stocked and bring down the prices."

Pendergast’s tenure, the Council president noted "was marked by several notable changes at the co-op, including a more intuitive layout and a cleaner, brighter shopping area. The popular Holiday Bazaar was also her idea."

Hirak also gave her good marks in dealing with the financial crisis.

"She was instrumental in raising capital to help secure the Co-op’s future," she said.

The co-op's shelves had become poorly-stocked for a period because of the store's inability to pay major suppliers, but in the last two weeks, regular shoppers have noted that the co-op has been fully stocked. The Herald was also told that after the publicity about the co-op's financial crisis, shopping receipts rose markedly.

With or without Pendergast, that trend will have to continue if the co-op is to survive.