Once again, we’re hearing about one of my pet topics, the lack of decent grocery shopping in many Seattle neighborhoods; particularly in neighborhoods far from any full-size supermarket.

The dilemma, as per current industry practice, is that low-margin, short-shelf-life items such as fresh produce don’t fit in with the typical convenience store business model. So the makings of “real” meals can only be found at huge marts that need a big population radius; while local “food” stores offer little besides beer, wine, soft drinks, cigarettes, candy, and potato chips.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Specialty produce stands, such as MacPherson’s on Beacon Hill or Rising Sun Farms on NE 65th, profitably fit into former gas-station buildings, with the same square footage as your basic C-store. With a little bigger restocking budget and a couple more cooler compartments, they could fit in a meat-deli counter and some basic staple groceries (rice, pasta, etc.).

Stick in a few higher-margin C-store items and you’ve got the return of the traditional corner grocery.

All it takes is a storefront (or a plot of land where one can be built), a competent operator, and a supportive investor (note: the latter two traits are not always found in the same person).

Communities can organize to start up such a store in their ‘hoods. A nonprofit could be formed to start a string of such stores, more compact and less hoity-toity-foodie than PCC.

It’s no megaproject. Really.