LA MONTAÑITA CO-OP at AVANYU PLAZA

The new La Montañita Co-op at Avanyu Plaza reflects a long-standing commitment to community-owned food systems and access to healthy, locally sourced products. Established in 1976, the Co-op has grown into New Mexico’s largest locally owned food cooperative, rooted in values of sustainability, local sourcing, and community engagement. As its North Valley location reached capacity, the need emerged for a larger, more accessible store that could better serve member-owners while expanding support for regional farmers and producers.

Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Menaul in Albuquerque, the project represents a meaningful partnership between La Montañita Co-op and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Situated on land stewarded by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the store is the first food co-op in the United States located on tribal land. The name “Avanyu,” a Tewa Pueblo water serpent symbolizing life, movement, and renewal, reflects the cultural significance of the site and the shared values that shaped the project.

SMPC Architects served as tenant improvement (TI) architect for the 18,000-square-foot grocery store, leading the design and documentation of the interior environment. Working closely with La Montañita Co-op and National Co-op Grocers, the team coordinated the integration of grocery layouts, commercial kitchen and deli functions, and the selection of equipment, fixtures, finishes, and furnishings. The design prioritizes clarity, warmth, and functionality—supporting both an intuitive shopping experience and the operational needs of a full-service cooperative grocery.

The project required sustained collaboration across a broad team, including Studio Southwest Architects (base building), Baker Architecture + Design (signage), and Jaynes Corporation (construction), along with multiple funding partners. Over the course of the project, the team navigated funding-related delays with patience and persistence, maintaining forward momentum through close coordination and a shared commitment to the Co-op’s mission.

The completed store expands La Montañita Co-op’s ability to provide fresh, nourishing food while strengthening connections between local producers and the community. With increased capacity, improved accessibility, and proximity to transit and neighborhood networks, the Avanyu Plaza location supports the Co-op’s goal of making healthy food more available to more people, while reinforcing its role as a community gathering place.

Photography by: Patrick Coulie Photography