Boulder Co-op Market born with ?Moving in Celebration?

BOULDER — After more than two years of planning, members of the Boulder Co-op Market soon will have a chance to eat the fruits of their labor. Though the vegetarian grocery store officially opens for business in May, supporters marked the acquisition of their 11,800 square foot location at 1904 Pearl St. at a Feb. 2 ?Moving in Celebration.?

?We wanted to give the opportunity for people to come together and just experience the vision for the co-op,? said Steve Phillips, Boulder Co-op Market managing coordinator.

The catered celebration included live music provided by bluegrass band Howlin Dog Moon and speeches by various co-op board members. Though there was no charge to attend, the event was also a fund-raiser for building renovations.

?It’s a real fixer-upper,? said Phillips of the location, which once housed office supply store Business Express.

The 950 co-op members have secured nearly $350,000, but they need at least an equal sum before opening in May. Various levels of sponsorship are available both for individuals and businesses. Co-op members also are seeking volunteers to help with fund-raising efforts, to make product-selection decisions, to assist with the design and layout of the store, and to attract more than 1,000 additional members.

?A co-op is the only business I know of that is owned, controlled and used by the same people — the members,? Phillips said.

And, as they say, membership has its privileges. Members choose to pay either an annual or lifetime fee and receive a 5 percent discount on all purchases one day per month. Because it is the members themselves who actually own a cooperative, these patrons may vote on many market-related issues or even run for a position on the board of directors.

Members also benefit from regular, member-only specials, substantial discounts on full bags or products by the case, entry into co-op events and classes either for free or at a reduced cost, the option to bank at a credit union, discounts on services from various community businesses, and annual patronage refunds. The co-op keeps track of member purchases and, at the end of the year, profits are allocated back to the members according to how much they spent.

With organic, non-genetically modified groceries, a vegetarian deli, health education classes and visiting community speakers, there are several reasons to shop at the co-op even if one chooses not to become a member.

?We’re supporting as many local businesses as possible by trying to create a smaller cycle of investment,? said Steven Johnston, the fund-raising committee coordinator and a board member. ?The money people are spending stays in the local economy.? Contact Sheryl Bass at (303) 440-4950 or e-mail research@bcbr.com.

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