Sopris Sun THE
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3 • FEBRUARY 26, 2009
A Growing Business
By Trina Ortega
I
n the face of economic adversity, the town’s “little grocery store” on Main Street — the Carbondale Community Food Co-operative — is holding its own after a little more than a year in its 600square-foot domain. February marks the co-op’s first anniversary operating the storefront at 559 Main St., and the business is thriving. The co-op now has three employees, 250 members (compared to 200 six months ago and 75 before the store opened), a dozen working members, and a newly seated seven-member board of directors. “In uncertain economic times, our store is a success story,” said store manager Avtar Perreault. “We can pay our bills and pay our employees and that’s a big thing.” Over-the-counter purchases by members and nonmembers have kept sales steady, confirmed assistant store manager Katrina Byars. “Considering what the condition of the world is right now, I think we’re doing really well,” she said. “Even in the face of economic uncertainty, we are continuing to thrive and expand.” The co-op has made it through what Perreault considered the slow autumn and winter months and now only has to look forward to the growing season, when there will be even more locally grown fresh produce, a top-seller among customers. “We provide a necessity. People need to buy food,” Perreault said matter-offactly. “The amazing thing is that it’s breakeven. That’s a lot to say for a business in its first year,” said newly elected board member Allyn Harvey, who shops at the co-op for organic apples, cereals and meats. In its promotional materials, the coop does state that the goal is not to reap immense profits, but to operate with mutual aid for members and the community at large. That translates to locally grown produce at a fair price. Carbondale Community Food Co-operative employee Katrina Byars organizes a recent delivery of organic produce outside the store at 559 Main Street. Photo by Trina Ortega
Fresh local produce
Supporting the region’s independent farmers and ranchers is a priority for the Carbondale Community Food Coop. Meats and eggs travel only a short distance from Carbondale-area ranches, FOOD CO-OP on page 4