A North Point Breeze natural and organic food market may expand into PPG Place, while the New York developer spurned in its bid to buy the August Wilson Center and top it with a hotel has its eye on another Downtown landmark Macys department store.

The East End Food Co-op has been talking to Highwoods Properties, owner of the PPG Place complex in Downtown, about putting a grocery in the food court space in the 2 PPG building, co-op general manager Justin Pizzella confirmed Wednesday.

In general, its no secret that were looking to expand our business. Were evaluating a lot of opportunities, and thats one of them, he said.

The members-owned co-op has been a staple in the East End since 1980, offering a selection of natural and organic foods, fresh meats, and locally grown produce long before Whole Foods Market moved in to the region.

With business brisk, the co-op is seeking to expand its reach. Mr. Pizzella noted that about 50 percent of its 11,000 members live 5 miles or more from the store.

Theres definitely a market and theres definitely a need to serve our members better, he said.

The co-op is early on in its talks with Highwoods, he added. It is looking at a 15,000- to 20,000-square-foot space in 2 PPG, more than triple the size of its 4,500-square-foot East End store, which would remain open.

At PPG, the co-op has hopes of taking the existing format to another level. It plans to emphasize fresh natural and organic foods and expand its prepared food selection, while also offering fresh meat and staples like milk, cheese, eggs and butter. As in the East End store, the PPG location would have a vegetarian cafe and coffee and juice bars. I think we can bring something pretty unique down there, Mr. Pizzella said.

The co-op is probably months away from a decision, he said. Highwoods has been considering a grocery for the food court space for the past two years. It now is seeking a $3 million state redevelopment capital assistance grant to help bring those plans to fruition.

Success in securing the funding is going to be a big part of the decision making regarding a possible expansion to PPG, Mr. Pizzella said.

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Development could be in store for Downtown Pittsburgh landmarks