Thursday, July 12, 2018

Rainbow Closing

Fondren mainstay Rainbow Co-op is shutting it all down.   Rainbow posted this message on Facebook:


Dear Friends of the Rainbow Cooperative;

The Rainbow Whole Foods Cooperative has come to a crisis. Danger and opportunity confront us and each requires that we act.

We had hoped that filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection would allow us to stay open while we rebuild and relocate, but that plan is not going to work. Now we must adopt an alternative, less desirable, plan.

We have a signed sales contract for this building at a price that will enable us to move to different quarters and more than adequately stock the new location. If all goes as we anticipate, we will close the sale around the 1st of October. Current sales, however, are not enough for us to continue our retail business pending closing.

Therefore, we will not restock the shelves. The last trucks have come in. High Noon Cafe will be closed as of Friday, July 6th. We are proceeding to liquidate all the Rainbow’s physical assets other that the ones we will take with us to the new location. This will include all of our stock, and some of our furniture, fixtures, displays, and equipment.

As they say, “Everything must go.” Beginning Friday, July 6th, all stock will be discounted 25%.

This is an ideal time to reassess the role of a whole foods cooperative in the Jackson Metropolitan Area. Things have changed radically since the Coop moved to our current location in Fondren. The business environment has changed in almost every respect. We now have competition, and consequently have lost some of the uniqueness that made the Rainbow so attractive. We are no longer the sole source for organic foods in the community. People now have choices and that raises the bar.

Moreover, tastes and buying habits are different that they were 20 years ago. Since we are, in essence, starting over, we have the opportunity to assess our marketing and merchandising strategy to accommodate some or all of these changes. Better marketing and merchandising will almost certainly improve our competitiveness in a market that is still growing and has become almost mainstream.

To keep a community-owned source of healthy food in Jackson, we will need your support. Please come out while we are still open, and give one last push. Even after the store has closed, we will hold classes and get-togethers as before, so you can continue to support us by coming and participating.

We welcome your input. If you have relevant skills, knowledge, or simply the desire and time to help, please contact us. We can use all the help we can get to make it through this difficult time.

Thank you. It’s been an honor to work here for so many years.


Patrick Jerome

Community Outreach Director

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is happening to Jackson??? I still cannot believe this.

lovermangenuis said...

Check out the website for their computer co-op. The "current newsletter" is dated March 2007 and they offer 17" Used CRTs for $10, along with "progressive bumper stickers".

Ever wonder where that douchey hipster down the block got those 37 smug bumper stickers plastered all over his Prius? Chances are he picked them up while sending Hotmail and checking Friendster at Rainbow's Antique Computer Museum and Bumper Sticker Emporium.

Anonymous said...

Oh no! Where will I get my locally sourced, organic, free range sea weed?

Anonymous said...

@12:07

I knew it wouldn't be long before some smart#* made a comment such as yours. I was in Rainbow only one time and discovered it was not my cup-of-tea, but I would never fault people who shopped there and supported them. It is always sad when a locally owned business has to close. From what I've read over the past few years all of the problems Rainbow had with City caused flooding contributed greatly to their downfall.

Anonymous said...

They knew they were toast once whole foods moved to NE Jackson... not a shocker!

Anonymous said...

Now, where will I go in my Oberlin BLM hoodie to ask you to sign my petition for undersea wind farming? Resist!!

Anonymous said...

Rainbow is a dump. I don't mean the flood-ridden current place. I mostly mean the disgusting lack of sanitation. Their goods are left open where people with their bare unclean hands can touch them. I don't know why the Health Dept hasn't shut them down. It is a rallying point for the Feel the Bern crowd. Now that Whole Foods is there, Rainbow is a dirty, filthy white elephant. Good Riddance!

Anonymous said...

You jacka...s. You've never set foot in "The Fondren", much less Rainbow. This is a loss of a Jackson treasure. They were the soul source of healthy eating for years. I tried to maintain a membership there, but rarely went in recent years, due to, as they mention, other stores picking up on the organic bandwagon. Hopefully, their new location will work out and they will come back better than before!

Brandy said...

I just spoke with someone at Rainbow. They are only closing temporarily due to the building they had chosen to move into is still being renovated. They are closing the month of August in hopes to relocate and reopen by February 2019. Everything is 25% off while supplies last.

Anonymous said...

12:25pm, the lack of sanitation is all part of the third world ambiance the left is so eager to bring to our country. Always remember what the end result of collectivism/communism/socialism is....every is equally miserable. That's the goal. They don't bring others up. They tear down the exceptional.

Anonymous said...

Whole Foods is taking over the site, and will deliver fresh cold brew coffee and acai bowls by drone to The Fondren. 15% discount for Millsaps Green Party members. No worries, mate.

Anonymous said...

12:26
You pompous blowhard!
The reason Rainbow had to file bankruptcy is because of ex-members like you. As soon as you realized that you could save money on "organic" somewhere else, you dropped them like a hot potato (ain't capitalism grand?).
Yet, here you are soothing your conscience by wishing them well, long after you stuck the knife their back.
Well done!

Anonymous said...

12:27, where is the new location? Still in the Jackson city limits?

Anonymous said...

The smelly, hairy armpit crowd is in mourning.

Col. Mustard said...

Hey, “lovermangenuis,” I hope for the sake of any partners you might have that you’re better at being a lover man than in spelling “genius.”

Anonymous said...

Never set foot in the place but I hate they're closing. Don't care what they make or sell.

I much prefer to see gazillions of small biz operations that generates personal income as opposed to the gov't alternatives for those who never try.

Anonymous said...

@ 1:29,
Yes capitalism is certainly grand. Having the freedom to choose is rare but here we have that unlike where I grew up in Hungary. Once you experience communism socialist believe me capitalism is grand indeed. Stop your bitching and complaining.

Anonymous said...

AMEN @ 1:29. Rainbow shoppers have been exposed as capitalist just like the rest of us. Guess they aren't as idealistic as they claim to be.

Louis LeFleur said...

From the few times I've been there and from the even fewer people I know who regularly shopped there, this had less to do with changes in the market (meaning competition) than with the losses from flooding and other external problems. There is a core group who will always shop there vs. the alternatives and they still have a niche in the market here. They can move, adjust to scale, trim back their inventory, and probably be just fine.

Anonymous said...

I think it is pretty obvious that The Fondren is just too old and run down for any business to stay open. I am guessing that Rainbow will be reopening in either The Renaissance or The District.

Honestly, they would probably do best in Flowood since they will be farther away from Amazon Prime Groceries.

Fanny Brawne said...

As a longtime supporter and member of the Rainbow Co-op, and frequent luncher at High Noon through the years, I am deeply saddened by the lowering of the final curtain. Frankly, I was surprised (and pleased) to see Rainbow remain viable for so long after Kroger began stocking many of the organic items, and even after the harder hit of Whole Foods’ arrival. Like many devotees, I made a point to shop there often, even if it meant paying a bit more for my almond milk, supplements, bulk items, and locally-grown veggies. And the daily soup and salad bar was a treat, always. That vegan Senegalese soup!

Many thanks to all those who made Rainbow what it was, especially during its early years, when nobody else was promoting healthful, clean eating in the nations’s plumpest state. It’s wonderful that mainstream big box stores have now seen that value in offering such items, but still...there will never be another Rainbow. I will mourn it as I do Olde Tyme Deli and the old original Fridge’s Fireside. And now, Jitney/McDade’s. Wow. So much gone.





Anonymous said...

They should re-open in the old Poets location in the Quarter.

Anonymous said...

Look, you Dickwads! This is not funny. This is serious. I left my roach-clip there last Wednesday. Who am I supposed to call? And obviously none of you have ever been out of fresh lentils and grape leaves.

Anonymous said...

3:38
Don't you mean "The Rainbow", "The Flowood" and "The Amazon Prime Groceries"?

Anonymous said...

The Woke weep...

Anonymous said...

Damn, 1:29, anger management issues much? Maybe you should make a quick trip to the Rainbow supplement department for some Valerian Root and lavender. Peace be with you.

Anonymous said...

DAMN IT!!!! Now where are the trustafarian patchoulis supposed to get their guilty white liberal on?

Anonymous said...

I am sad that another Jackson institution meets its demise. That being said, as a no /low carb meat eater, it sure seems that the health food crowd have an appearance of some of the unhealthiest looking folks around. Other than the morbidly obese crowd.

Anonymous said...

@3:38
It's obvious you haven't been to Fondren in the past 4 months or So. There is a ton of new development happening.

Anonymous said...

I am by no means a hippie, hipster, weedhead, or however you wish to characterize/stereotype the folks that shop(ped) at Rainbow, but they did have some really good prepared foods and some items that (GASP) are not available at Whole Foods.

BUT, I'll have to admit the place has a certain funk about it, and I don't mean groovy music...seriously, what's wrong with taking a shower every now and again and giving a shit about your appearance and how you smell???

Macy Hanson said...

Cold brew coffee and acai bowls are good (my wife loves acai). Please leave them out of this.

Sum Ting Wong said...

They claim capitalism is the downfall of mankind, but I bet if I loaded up a cart and just walked or without paying, they'd get capitalist real quick.

Anonymous said...

Sorry they are closing but it had a filthy stinky funk about the place.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a dog...er, avocado in this fight, but it does kinda amaze me that a Whole Paycheck and Kroger drove a co-op out of business in Jackson-friggin-Mississippi. Hell, I didn't even realize there was such stuff as organic free-range bologna, free-trade almond-milk American cheese singles and rainforest quinoa Bunny bread. I did realize there is tofu mayo, but I didn't think there was even a single jar east of Austin. Of course, I remember when picking a 'mater and a cuke out of your own garden wasn't "eating organic," it was just, well, the South.

mbrookes said...

Once again, I'm on the other side. Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which means I can never again in my life eat wheat, rye or barley. At that time Rainbow was the only place I could buy bread, crackers, cereal and a host of other things. This is now known as gluten free and has been picked up by mainstream grocery stores. I stayed true to Rainbow until they quit carrying the things I needed. They dropped gluten free and moved more to vegan. I don't like Whole Foods, so I go to Kroger (which I really hate) or order on line. When a store desserts its dedicated following...… what can I say?

Anonymous said...

Shop your local Piggly Wiggly!

Anonymous said...

Thanks 9:24 for sort of explaining to us what a gluten is. I've been hearing that word for about twenty years. I didn't know what it was. I only know two things: Somehow folks want to be 'free' of glutens. Second, when I was a kid we didn't have glutens. At least no one ever used the word.

Anonymous said...

Economics 101 tells us that if there was enough demand for this place and its products, they would not be closing. How difficult is that?

Note: Look for Dick's Sporting Goods to follow suit by this time next year. Everybody used to like Dicks and now nobody do.

Anonymous said...

Rankin County is really the promised land for any business. Low crime, higher incomes, and more cultured clientele. Jackson is a graveyard.

They will likely move out to Flowood or Brandon. Perhaps the might even open up off Spillway Rd in Brandon.

The demographic that primaarily utilize EBT in Jackson have no interest in overpriced organic food. They get a lot less bang for their 'benefits' at Rainbow.

In order for a business to really thrive you need paying customers. You also need customer that tip your waitstaff. That is Rankin County.

Anonymous said...

Years ago my office had a post office box at the postal facility on Fondren
Place directly behind the Rainbow Co-Op. In fact, when parking at the facility I had a direct view of the back door of the Rainbow. I checked our mail usually six days a week. Using my best estimate, I would say that I would see one or more Rainbow employees on break at least two days a week smoking cigarettes near the back door--sometimes more often depending on what time I arrived.

So much for healthy living.

I only ate at the cafe twice in my life and decided the cafe was not my cup of tea. However, it makes me sad whenever local businesses struggle financially. I wish these folks well.

Anonymous said...

Bravo to 4:34 p.m. - you made my day - hilarious!

Never been in Rainbow but as a lot of people have observed, the flooding issue was something they couldn't continue to live with - anyone who buys that building has a major problem and can find the news articles to prove it.

Now on to choices - Kroger (lots of organic), Whole Foods (you all might find this interesting, at recent lunch over there, I got to talking w/a woman who works in the deli (she and I ate at the same lovely wood table) and she proceeded to tell me how the majority of the bakery goods (sold as fresh made) and numerous other items (also billed as fresh made) are simply prepared and packaged somewhere else and brought in (come in by semi on the Alabama/Mississippi run); but some people weigh the quality of their food by the price.

Personally, living in Mississippi we have the advantage of farmers' markets - downtown, Gluckstadt, Hwy. 49 - Wrights, any number of places. So unfortunately, Rainbow is not one of a kind anymore. Everyone wants to eat healthy and any Mississippi Farmer I can buy from has my vote. Love me some Remington Farms. Point is - buy local and support our farmers.

Anonymous said...

The term "organic" has become a marketing ploy to mark up and class up foods and people are going nuts over it. Anyone in the farming or food sector knows this but wont say it because they are reaping the benefits. Put it in a low flash/granola looking package, call it organic, charge 3x's the price, rinse and repeat.

9:10 was the lovely wood table you were sitting at harvested from a sustainable forest? Did they have signs stating such? If not, they aren't practicing what they preach. Sometimes I think they spend more resources printing all the hoopla about their accolades of organic/fresh/sustainable than just having normal products.

Anonymous said...

Capitalism has fed more people than communism... always remember that... more rafts and boats leave Cuba for the Florida shore than leave Florida for Cuba. Look at Venezuela... average weight loss is 42 lbs per person due to lack of food. Dumpster diving for food. People come to this cou try bc it's an opportunity with capitalism. I feed Hungary in 1988 for the US. I swam 2 miles at 3 AM to escape. Americans are spoiled and hate capitalism bc they have never experienced socialism or communism.

Anonymous said...

True, true 9:34 a.m. No, no sign about coming from a sustainable forest, but that's kind of like the "art installation" over in the courtyard at Highland Village that is now simply a large homemade picnic table and benches in front of Talbots. Brings back "Steel Magnolias" - an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.

Now how would you describe that appetizing skim that forms on the top of the Whole Foods food on their buffet tables around lunch? No haters, you all know you've seen it.

Anonymous said...

KINGFISH - just love the pitiful Clarion Ledger coverage on Rainbow. Their sources: WAPT and Jackson Free Press.

Anonymous said...

Maybe it will become a chestaurant with lots of big tits and cold beer.

Anonymous said...

it's pretty clear that all the things that made Fondren "Funky Fondren" are steadily being replaced by typical crap. Rest in peace, Funky Fondren. You've been develop-ized.

mbrookes said...

9:42, Thank you. think we are so spoiled that we don't know what we have.

Anonymous said...

I’ve never been an organic food type person, but I really am sad to see another locally owned business close in Jackson. I wish the owners much success at their new location.

Boneless Bananas said...

Just today (or yesterday according to my time stamp) I found myself leaving the steak counter at Madison Kroger 51, walking up the Free Range - Organic Aisle. Tons of interesting packaging but lots of bland colors. The Fondren crowd, preferring bland, doesn't like to be excited by happy colors and, yes, even Madison has its own knockoff of The Fondren crowd.

Never saw so much misleading BS printed on packaging, false claims, hoopla thrown out there at triple prices to impress the gentried Millsaps and Belhaven grads....and those with MC School of Law stickers on their BMWs in the parking lot. This crap has become the new Ramen Noodles and Lentils of the seventies.

Anonymous said...

lol @4:13's last sentence. Sounds about right.

Anonymous said...

just to clarify, organic means it contains carbon. So, gasoline is all organic, even if you add ethanol made from corn. Moose shit is also organic as are the linoleum floor tiles you are walking upon. I even saw all organic and gluten free on some vodka the other day in the liquor store. So the next time you are chewing on the end of a pencil, remember everything but the metal that holds the eraser on the wood is organic and really fucking good for you.

Anonymous said...

"I wish the owners much success at their new location."

Don't hold your breath on that one, Luther.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.