It's a move that's years in the making. Some even wondered if it would even happen. However, Albany's Honest Weight Food Co-op is finally expanding. YNN's Lori Chung has more on why members there said now's a good time to be in the food business in our area.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Posted here for two years, the sign that reads "coming soon" took on a new meaning in Honest Weight Food Coop's effort to move into a new building. But, finally the construction crew is hard at work.

"Hopefully so" said one shopper. "[They need] more parking space."

A common request from loyal customers who, since 1995, have navigated this lot at the co-op's current tucked away location on Central Avenue.

"We've moved incrementally into the space over that time and we now have 16,000 square feet, and we're really, really, really cramped for space" said Lexa Juhre, Honest Weight's project manager.

The demo at the new location on Watervliet Avenue Extension means more than better digs for the co-op. Members said it's actually a sign that the food business is booming in Albany. And, a custom built store will bring more products and services for customers.

"As everybody knows, the grocery industry is really heating up" said Juhre. "But, it's a great time to be talking about where our food comes from and supporting local economies and agriculture."

That's something different to offer in the new 30,000 square foot building, which could be critical with Shoprite, PriceChopper and Hannaford located in less than a one mile radius.

"We'll have an expanded meat department, we'll have outdoor seating as well as our indoor cafe" said communications leader Lily Bartels.

"They have a very good cheese department and a very good produce department" agreed one shopper.

Along with the local goods, there'll be a new teaching kitchen and more outreach to spread the word that the co-op is open to everyone, not just members. It will soon be unveiled next May in a building where customers have a better chance of finding it.