10/15/2026
October is National Co-op Month and we’re celebrating what we like to call “The Co-op Difference”. Today, we’re talking about “owners”, why that’s the term we prefer to use over “member”, and why we think you should be one!
What does it mean to be an “owner” with us?
* Financial Investment: to be an owner, you buy an equity share in our co-op (a one-time fee) that helps fund our store. If you decide for whatever reason you don’t want to be an owner, that fee is refundable. All shares are equal-no one person can hold more voting power than another.
* Democratic Control: Instead of outside investors calling the shots, owners elect a Board of Trustees, using a one member, one vote system. Owners also vote on any changes to our articles of incorporation.
* Profits Stay Local: Unlike chain stores that send profits to remote corporate investors, our co-op reinvests any surplus into the store or returns profits back to the shoppers via dividends that are based on how much they shop. Plus, all of our staff and many vendors are local, so their salaries also circulate in and boost our local economy.
* Benefits: Anyone can shop at our store, but owners get 10% off our in-house vitamin & supplement line, get an additional 10% off Co+op Deal prices, can run for and vote in our elections, receive invites to owner only events, and have a say in how we donate to our community.
*Not yet an owner? Now is the perfect time to join! The first 50 owners to sign up before October 27, 2026 get a free branded pint glass and freezer tote as our gift to you!
There is a one-time, $100 Owner Equity payment that you can pay all at once or in $5 monthly installments. No yearly fee! Sign up at any register today.
