A cooperative (co-op) business is a business that is run and owned jointly by its members who all equally share the benefits or profits. It acts in the interest of its members and the community it serves.

When you become a member-owner of the cooperative, you are part of the decision making process. This allows owners, especially those who live in the community near the grocery, to best address their communities needs. The Louisville Community Grocery, LCA is about building a stronger community and better health outcomes through a bottom-up, community-owned business.

Picture this:

You and your neighbors recognize a need that isn’t being met in your community

Whether it be groceries, child care, home and lawn care, or housing services, you and your neighbors recognize a need that isn’t being met in your community. So, you and your neighbors decide to take matters into your own hands. You pool together your resources to fuel a new business in the community. But not only do you fuel it, you own it and have a continued say in the future of the business. This is a cooperative.

Cooperatives are businesses voluntarily owned and governed by the community they serve

Any business can have a cooperative model, from a supermarket to a bank to a media network. Usually, individuals become owners by making a one-time equitable investment.

Everyone in the community will be welcome at the grocery store, but its operations will be governed by the member-owners and they will reap benefits for investing in their community.