Our little n' local food co-op is going out of business.

[Lyric]

http://www.mountaincoop.com/dynamic/

There's nothing on their website yet, but there was a big story in the paper the other day. The co-op is closing because it isn't making enough money to pay its bills *and* stock the shelves. The reasons are varied--higher gas prices, higher food prices, and a brand-new Kroger in town with a large organic, ethnic, and natural foods section. Kroger is a lot cheaper, and it's hard for customers to stay loyal when gas prices are eating up their budgets. *sigh*

Our co-op has been there since before I was born, and the ladies who run it are fantastic people who really care about the environment, food purity, and food safety. Everything in the store is either vegan or vegetarian. I have no idea what they're going to do now.

I'm really going to miss their bulk foods section. Make-your-own-granola, all kinds of wonderful dried fruits, grains, pre-mixed organic cereals...argh. :banghead: It was literally the only place in town to find a decent variety of specially-made vegan foods, too, so our vegan friends are seriously bummed. I wonder if Kroger will start carrying seitan? We couldn't afford to shop there often, but we tried to go as often as we could. There's a farmer's market across town...now I'm worried that they'll be going out of business too. :(

I'm thinking that perhaps I should get a group of friends together, make a list of our favorite things that could only be found at the co-op, and take the list to Kroger as a group with a request to start carrying those items. It seems like the least they can do, after helping to run the co-op out of business. Dammit dammit dammit. :(

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. that sucks

:hug:

[latebloomer]

2. That really does blow.

The end of an era. All the big corporations keep swallowing up everything.

It's tough, though. Everybody keeps urging you to shop locally in the small stores. But I can't afford to spend $175 on a sundress.

[LeftyMom]

3. That sucks. I love ours and I'd miss it enormously if it folded.

We have a few other places to get vegan specialty stuff, so I wouldn't be screwn, but it would sure suck to lose them. :(

As for your veg*n friends, can they order stuff online? I think http://www.veganstore.com/ is probably closest so the shipping would be cheapest, but there's also http://www.cosmosveganshoppe.com/ in the same general part of the world, and http://store.foodfightgrocery.com/ is nowhere close but is the best place to meet one's needs for vegan junk food. Shipping-wise, sometimes it's better to get together with a friend or two and do one big order, and I try to order any cold/meltable stuff like soy cheese or chocolate in the cooler months so I don't have to pay extra for fast shipping and a cold pack.

Also, I've found that some stores will special order stuff for me if I ask.