Our Story
The West Chester Cooperative’s goal is to open a member-owned full-service grocery store. The store will advance our mission promoting the well-being of the people of West Chester by promoting healthy and mindful eating, improving access to sustainably produced food, helping those in need to secure quality food, advancing sustainable and humane agriculture, supporting local farms, and strengthening our community through cooperative enterprise. We aim to bring transparency and accountability to every step of the food production and distribution process from farm to table, providing confidence for educated consumer choices and food that the community can trust.
The store will be a friendly place where people will run into neighbors and friends while marveling at the glorious agricultural abundance of our region. We will do everything that we can to make it accessible to all members of the community.
As co-ops have been historically, our co-op will be rooted in principles of care for community, care for the environment, and care for the less fortunate. It will turn the simple activity of shopping into an opportunity to demonstrate values, contribute to the community, and develop relationships.
Milestones
2015
Formation of the cooperative by a group of West Chester residents driven by the desire for a sustainable, local alternative to a traditional grocery options. Official incorporation as a co-op, followed by a membership drive that generated significant community interest.
2016-2019
Launched community outreach initiatives, educational events on sustainable agriculture, and pop-up markets.
2020
Formed partnerships to support local farmers and producers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opened a pop-up market in the borough, providing access to food with curbside pickup and later with limited in-store shopping hours.
2022
Reached 500 member-owners.
2024
Conducted an updated market analysis, finalized the store location, and began the build-out process, with plans to open the grocery store in 2025.