Grocery Revolution: New MetroWest Co-op Closes In On Location

MAYNARD, MA — There's a grocery store revolution coming to the MetroWest area.

This spring, Assabet Village Co-op Market is closing in on a plan to open the first cooperative grocery store in the area. It's the culmination of a long process that began in 2013 when the co-op was founded.

Although coronavirus is complicating the picture, Assabet Village leaders has picked out a few possible locations in Maynard, and they are hoping to mount a campaign soon to build the store. An opening date before the end of 2020 is the target, according to the co-op.

Apart from selling locally-produced food — think eggs and produce from local farms — a grocery co-op a style of business that allows members of the public to buy shares of the store, giving them a say in business decisions. Assabet Village now has over 1,200 member-owners from around the region.

"Our aim is to serve the community and not enrich some far off shareholders," said Lorne Bell, the co-op's director of outreach.

There are a few local examples of co-ops. Although it's a national chain, REI operates as a co-op. A $20 membership provides benefits like an annual dividend and access to the garage sale. The Worcester brewery 3cross Fermentation Cooperative costs $150 to join, and offers benefits like merchandise discounts and a stake in business decisions.

There are no grocery co-ops east of I-91, according to the National Co-op Grocers association. The closest ones are the Urban Greens market in Providence and the River Valley Co-op in Northampton.

Assabet Village has been selling $200 co-op memberships since 2013. A search for a site for the store began several years ago when the co-op reached 900 members. The members recently entered into negotiations for a site in Maynard, and soon hope to start a capital campaign to raise up to $2 million for construction costs.

When open, the store will feature food from local farms, items like fresh meat and produce (in the winter, the buying footprint will likely expand to warmer states). The store will also feature a café, and possibly a kitchen for cooking classes. Anyone will be able to shop at the co-op, but membership offers in-store discounts, and even the chance to pick what products the store sells.

"There's no better incentive to shop at a store than owning," Bell said.

For more information, visit the Assabet Village Co-op Market website.