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  • Conceptual image of store exterior
  • Site being studied
project leader
Barbara P
location
422 East 900 South
(The Milk Block)
latest update rss
Contract with Store Design Firm Moves Project Forward

the project

We are building a community owned, democratically run Food Co-op filled with local, sustainable produce, meat, cheeses, baked goods, and all the other items we share at our tables. Wasatch Cooperative Market will help create a thriving, local food system and be a place to shop that feels like community, where we re-invest in each other, in our children, and in the land.

The store will be in the Liberty Park neighborhood and was originally built as a grocery store in 1929. Redevelopment is transforming the entire block into the “Milk Block” on 900 South—a shout out to the street’s namesake, Harvey Milk. The Milk Block will be a vibrant neighborhood hub for commerce in the heart of Salt Lake City anchored by the Co-op.

the steps

The first step is to conduct a market study. This will reveal the potential revenues and, hopefully, give a green light to designing the space. With a design and solid financial information in hand, a lease with contingencies can be signed while also launching a rigorous outreach campaign to build our member-owner base. 

why we're doing it

Food cooperatives are grassroots member-owned and member-governed grocery stores that operate for the benefit of their members and community. Cooperative principles, including democratic control and concern for community allow co-ops to employ true triple bottom line policy (i.e., concern for people, the planet, and profit). They typically are the best sources of organic, bulk, locally sourced food while helping to create a resilient local food system, stabilize local economies, educate the public on food issues, and invest in sustainable technologies and practices. Because the seven principles guide cooperatives, the values of the member-owners are reflected in how the business is run and amplify the needs of the community. As cooperatives are responsive to member-owner values, they also amplify community impact, especially regarding sustainability.

 

budget

 

Market study                    1,500

Analyzes and projects revenue success at the target location.

Site feasibility                  14,000

Analyzes and makes recommendations as to the functionality of basic store layout.

Financial pro forma          2,000 

Built on the market study and site feasibility, this tool guides decision-making by specifying the cost to build out the grocery as well as generate estimated revenue flow and expenses for the first ten years of operation. We have an earlier draft (not based on this site) to update and validate or adjust our initial assumptions.  

Store design                   15,000

Leveraging an architecture and design firm dedicated to co-ops and natural food stores to build out the store plan and design.

Operational readiness      9,000

These dollars go toward examining level of board expertise to address the next stage of development with the possibility of making recommendations for improvement and assessing readiness level of the Co-op’s relationship with local providers.

Outreach Coordinator     10,000

Funds to support hiring a part-time outreach coordinator that will lead member-owner growth effort by coordinating volunteers to support the Co-ops outreach events and activities.

 



TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED $50,000
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) N/A
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)
(Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.)		 $1,546
TOTAL TO RAISE= $51,546

updates

Contract with Store Design Firm Moves Project Forward

Posted 03/24/2023 - 3:53pm

There's no time to waste and need your help! We contracted with Seven Roots Design group because work is progressing on the site. In order to meet our obligations, we need to reach $10,000 ASAP. Take a look at the amazing co-ops they have helped to design. Just imagine what we can do at the 900 South location.

Your Dollars Support Local Farmers

Posted 11/03/2022 - 7:22pm

The market study donors helped to fund indicates that over $800K in Utah products could be sold in the first year of doing business. Now that's worth supporting! Help support this location with a gift. If we exceed our goal, funds will be put toward the cost of constructing the interior of the store. 

Outreach Committee Re-launched

Posted 10/28/2022 - 10:34am

Your support is needed more than ever! Outreach Committee Chair and Board Member Erin Whitelock renewed the Co-op's outreach effort. Potential plans include hold events associated with cultural celebrations such as Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26), New Year's Day, Valentine's Day celebration, Mother's and Father's Day. Support these ideas with a gift of $5, $10, or even $100 today. Plus, if you have skills in graphic design, social media, event planning, we need you! Email us at questions@wasatch.coop. 

Good News! Pro forma Process could be More All-Inclusive

Posted 10/17/2022 - 2:16pm

Support for this effort is growing. In addition to people contributing to this campaign, 23 people have become owners in the Co-op, bringing in an addition $7,000! The consultant updating the pro forma (financial projection) has offered to provide a new format that is less cumbersome and easier to digest.  In addition, he is willing to review and guide writing the Letter of Intent (which lays out terms of a lease) as well as the lease itself, for which he has years of experience doing. These are critical steps toward making sure there are no cost surprises down the road. Looking good!

Initial Market Study Review Looks Promising!

Posted 10/04/2022 - 1:35pm

We're one step closer to determining the feasibility of the 900 South location at The Milk Block. Thanks to your support, we were able to contract for a market study, giving us confidence to advance to the next step: update the pro forma and present a Letter of Intent to the landlord. If you can spare a few more dollars, we'd appreciate it. Talk to your friends and family members, too. Encourage them to help bring the Co-op to Salt Lake.

Community is Coming Together!

Posted 09/19/2022 - 5:59pm

Thanks to everyone who has contributed financially to this effort thus far. We still have a way to go. However, in addition to the financial support, we have gained an incredible number of volunteers willing to serve in highly impactful ways: updating and re-invigorating our vendor outreach, addressing website issues, organizing events, media relations and more. Together we can make this happen!

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Dave M.
  • Anonymous
  • For swag mark-up
  • Anne A.
  • Jenever F.
  • Calvin Jolley
  • Therese B.
  • Kate R.
  • Barbara P.
  • Adrienne
  • James A.
  • Nicole B.
  • Perrine A.
  • Anonymous
  • Evan S.
  • Colton W.
  • Cori
  • Stephanie B.
  • Leslie B.
  • Dave B
  • Anne F.
  • Izzy H.
  • Joseph H.
  • Helen Elizabeth D.
  • Gary
  • Britta Retzlaff
  • Sherri Clark
  • Beverley C.
  • Anonymous
  • In Honor of Stephanie & Dustin's Marriage
  • Kari Larson
  • Mahika Weerasekare
  • Raquel C.
  • Lisa S.
  • Anonymous
  • Nia
  • Kevin P.
  • Conrad T.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Stephanie B.
  • New Direction Consulting
  • Nicholette R.
  • Charles P.
  • Jodie G.
  • Anonymous
  • MATTHEW K.
  • Leslie Grant
  • Julia M.
  • Erin Whitelock
  • Aaron M.
  • Kristen
  • Austin Taylor
  • Julia M.
  • Stephanie & Park Willis
  • Elizabeth H.
  • Elaine J.
  • Anonymous
  • Alan & Susan Loots
  • Jewell L.
  • Britta R.
  • Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch
  • Taylor Anderson
  • Anonymous
  • Shawn B.
  • Barbara P.

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