A Grocery Store Owned by the Community
For 55 years, Outpost Co-op has offered Milwaukeeans a community-owned alternative to big-box grocery stores.
In 1970, a group of Milwaukeeans built a different kind of grocery store, a co-op, founded to serve its neighborhood healthy food at reasonable prices, supportive of organics, small farmers and whole grains.
Fifty-five years later, with four locations, over 400 union employees and 22,000 owners, Outpost’s scope and scale have changed but the co-op’s core mission hasn’t – providing access to wholesome food and a community gathering place for all.
“As a co-op, we’re owned by the people who make our store thrive: our owners. Anyone can shop with us, and anyone can invest by buying a share,” says Ray Simpkins, Outpost’s CEO. “As an owner, you have a say in shaping the future of Outpost, helping us stay true to our mission of providing access to wholesome food and fostering a welcoming space for all.”
Outpost has proven itself to be much more than simply a place to shop.
“Food is more than just what’s on your plate,” says Simpkins. “It’s about the connections you make with those around you. At Outpost, we create a vibrant space where people come together to get excited about their food, build friendships and share in the spirit of cooperation. We’re proud to be woven into the fabric of the neighborhoods we serve.”
Over the decades, Outpost has been a space for local brands to grow and flourish, such as Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, Soul Brew Kombucha, Hundred Acre, Alive n Vibrant nutrient powders, and Alquimia Holistica skin care. Outpost prides itself in working with vendors and creating friendships that deepen its commitment to supporting Milwaukee’s local economy.
“Many of your favorite local brands got their start in our aisles,” says Simpkins. “When you shop at Outpost, you’re investing in farmers, artisans and vendors, helping to build a thriving economy, one purchase at a time.”
“ Outpost Co-op is about belonging. ”
RAY SIMPKINS, CEO
Simpkins says that one of Outpost’s goals is to continue expanding its lineup of local products of all types, supporting more Wisconsin vendors – and to keep bringing more people through the co-op’s doors.
“Outpost is where food meets friendship,” Simpkins says. “It’s where neighbors connect, where you can support local businesses, and where our community spirit shines. Outpost is a place to experience the joy of coming together. The next time you visit, take a moment to say hello to a neighbor or ask a vendor about their products. Whether it’s a jar of jam, a loaf of bread, or a bunch of kale, your purchases support the hands that grow, craft and create the food that sustains us all.”
Outpost Co-op
4 Neighborhood Locations: Milwaukee: 100 E. Capitol Dr.
Bay View: 2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Mequon: 7590 W. Mequon Rd. Wauwatosa: 7000 W. State St. outpost.coop