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The FREMONT PCC recently sought a greener pasture— literally greener. In June of 2003, after working with Velocipede architects to create a new location that works with—not against—its environment, the natural foods co-op moved one block west on North 34th Street. PCC loyalists who once felt like they were disappearing into a black hole now revel in rows of sun-kissed, solar-selective windows, which block unwanted heat from entering the building, thus reducing air-conditioning usage by 20 percent. At the former location, those who ordered fresh salads or sandwiches couldn’t dine on-site; at the store’s new venue they can, under a solar canopy generating clean electricity. And the huge underground parking lot is both eco-friendly and just plain convenient, saving customers from sitting in a stationary vehicle, guzzling gas and waiting for a space. Gone are the days when the Fremont PCC was simply an emporium of organic and natural foods: Today the establishment, made almost entirely from recycled materials, is an embodiment of environmental soundness. 600 N. 34th St., 206-632-6811.
