- Mazopiya is a community oriented natural food market that focuses on clean organic foods and carries local products whenever possible, including produce from the SMSC’s organic garden Mdewakanton Wozupi.

- Mazopiya opened in the fall of 2010 with ribbon cutting held November 22, 2011, by the SMSC Business Council.

- In the Dakota language, “Mazopiya” means “a store, a place where things are put away and kept.”

What Does it Offer?

• Mazopiya consists of a produce department, grocery department, grass fed meats, dairy, cheeses,  , pet foods, frozen foods, soup and salad bar, health/wellness/personal care department, hot and cold deli with a complete kitchen, bakery, bulk foods and products, a dine in area, a Fair trade coffee and tea bar, a natural smoothie bar, Community Room for classes and demonstrations, an exterior patio, and related support spaces such as offices, lounge, and rest rooms.
• Mazopiya offers grocery items that are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian as well as local, organic, and natural.
• Mazopiya emphasizes seasonal eating by presenting customers with locally grown, in season produce.
• Locally sourced and produced buffalo, honey, maple syrup, wild rice, and other items are available.
• Customers are encouraged to live clean and green.
• Mazopiya carries reusable grocery bags to allow shoppers to take part in Mazopiya’s environmentally friendly efforts.
• Values important to Mazopiya are offering sustainable, local, organic, foods whenever possible, along with offering fair trade foods, those which pay a living wage and promote sustainability in developing countries.

Construction

• Located next to South Metro Federal Credit Union, a mirror image building constructed at the same time, behind the Dakota Mall.
• Single story building consisting of approximately 9,074 square feet.
• Construction of the building shell began in 2008 and was completed in 2009.  The build-out of the interior of Mazopiya began and was finished in 2010.
• Mazopiya building will apply for "Certification" under the LEED - NC for Retail v2009.
• The interior of the store features natural wood installations and emphasizes a clean, natural appearance and décor.

Geothermal System

• Geothermal heating system for temperature control captures heat and cooling from the ground.
• Wells were drilled down 180 feet to utilize the temperature of the earth, which maintains a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit, to help heat and cool the building.
• 144 wells drilled in the area which later became the parking lot.
• Approximately 26,545 feet of piping is used in the geothermal system.
• The system runs a 30% propylene glycol and 70% water solution. 
• System volume is between 1,300 and 1,500 gallons. 
• Solution is tested yearly to verify the concentration of additives and corrosion inhibitors. 
• Solution should last 10-15 years or longer.
• MEP Associates of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, did the geothermal installation.

Other Environmental Initiatives

• All the finishes are low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) finishes. These include
• Adhesives and sealants
• Paintings and coatings
• Carpet systems
• Composite wood and agrifiber products
• Local or regional materials produced within 500 miles were used to reduce emissions from transport.
• Numerous large windows, including clerestory windows, allow for the use of daylight. (Clerestory windows are placed high on the wall to allow more daylight to come in.)
• The parking lot was designed with a minimum number of parking spaces to reduce impervious surfaces.
• Drought tolerant landscaping was used so no irrigation is needed.
• Water efficient plumbing fixtures were used.
• The building runs on alternative energy which is purchased from the utility company.
• Construction waste was greatly reduced by use of recycling.

Pavers

• Pavers using recycled tires instead of brick or concrete.
• Average of ½ truck tire and 15 one-gallon size plastic containers per 1 square foot of paver.\

About LEED Certification

- South Metro Federal Credit Union received Silver level LEED certification in April 2010. (South Metro opened in the new building September 8, 2009.)

- Certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building or neighborhood development project meets the highest green building and neighborhood performance measures. LEED certification is the internationally recognized distinction that a building or neighborhood development is environmentally responsible, and a healthy place to live and work.

There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning LEED certification, including:

• Lowering operating costs and increasing asset value.
• Reducing waste sent to landfills.
• Conserving energy and water.
• Developing healthier and safer buildings for occupants.
• Creating compact and walkable communities with good access to neighborhood amenities and transit
• Protecting natural resources and farmland by encouraging growth to be located in areas with existing infrastructure.
• Reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
• Qualifying for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
• Demonstrating an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.