Mother-Friendly on Main Street

It’s Wednesday morning at the Alternative Food Co-op on Main Street in Wakefield and bananas are being eaten off the shelf while boxes of cereal disappear and reappear in unexpected places.

At the front of the store mothers sip tea and catch up with friends while cashier Debby Drew smiles and rings up a three-year-old’s purchase – $.59 worth of yogurt pretzels in a small paper bag.

Customers walking into the Co-op look a little puzzled as they take in the slightly-chaotic scene but Co-op Manager Rosemary Galiani couldn’t be more pleased.

Since Galiani took over as manager in April of this year she has been looking for ways to make Co-op shopping more attractive and accessible to families.

Wednesday morning, which is now known as “Mother’s Day” at the Co-op, is a part of her vision.

Galiani, who is the mother of two children, says she knows how hard it can be for mothers to shop at the Co-op (or any store for that matter) with young children in tow and she wanted to help make it a little easier.

So she got together with Co-op member and friend Lisa Dahl to create something special for children to do at the Co-op while mothers shop, visit, and relax.

Dahl, who has known Galiani since her son Ian, 6, and Galiani’s son Aidan, 7, were babies, has more than 15 years experience in creative and expressive arts and was looking for a way to donate her time and talents to the Co-op.

“I love the Co-op – I buy most everything here – and I wanted to do what I can to help sustain it and bring it into the future,” Dahl explains.

And so “Mother’s Day” at the Co-op was born!

Each Wednesday at 9:15 a.m., Dahl and her son Ian create a cozy corner in the store with blankets and books, musical instruments, a felt board and wooden figures, all of which Dahl integrates into her time with the children.

“I have a background in the creative and expressive arts,” Dahl explains. “This provides me with a foundation to not only read stories to children, but to be in the moment with them and offer them stories from the imagination that flow with Mother Earth’s rhythms, her mysteries and give the children an opportunity to express themselves whether it be through words, music, movement or sound.”

A little before 10 a.m., Ian counts the number of children gathered and reports to Kathleen Prew, the Co-op’s creative chef, who moments later appears with a tray of healthy snacks for the children to enjoy.

A few minutes later it’s back to stories and singing until around 11:15 a.m.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the store, mothers gather around tables, sipping tea or eating bagels. Several are nursing babies while they share ideas about healthy cooking, sleep (or lack there of), strategies for children who refuse to wear hats and coats, and whatever else is on their minds.

Galiani, who is usually in near-constant motion, pauses and smiles as she listens to the conversation.

“This is why we are doing this,” she says pointing to the group of moms. “This is exactly what I want this to be.”

Towards the end of the morning, some children start to venture out and explore the store. As displays are destroyed the mothers cringe, but cashier Debby Drew assures them that it is okay – she will put it all back together after they leave.

Julianna Ricci, of Wakefield, attends the Wednesday morning activities with her children, Xander, 2, and Jasper, seven months.

“We’ve all heard ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. This is my village,” Ricci laughs.

Other mothers nearby nod their heads in agreement.

At some point another small group of moms and children wander in. They are in town for the story hour at Myopic Books, three doors down from the Co-op.

Story hour at Myopic is held every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and Dahl says mothers are welcome to drop-in to the Co-op to visit, get a snack and do some shopping before going over there.

Galiani adds that mothers can even leave their groceries in the Co-op’s refrigerator or freezer while they attend story hour at Myopic.

If you go…

Mother’s Day at the Co-op, located at 357 Main Street in Wakefield, is every Wednesday from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Mothers (and fathers) are welcome to drop in with their children and stay for a few minutes or the full two hours.

Story hour at Myopic Books, located at 342A Main Street, is every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. However, they are taking a break from story hour for the holidays and plan to resume after the New Year. Call the store at 284-4554 or stop in for details.