WOODSTOCK — McHenry County’s first community-owned grocery store, Food Shed Co-op (2390 Lake Shore Drive), will finally celebrate its “Opening Day” in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on May 15, at 9 a.m.
As previously reported, the idea for the co-op was first conceived in 2014 by an organized collective of McHenry County residents that calls itself the McHenry County Food Cooperative. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last July to celebrate the initial construction phase of the grocery store.
Members of the public are invited by the Food Shed Co-op Board of Directors to celebrate the opening of the grocery store, which will feature brief remarks by co-op and community leaders, a symbolic ribbon-cutting, giveaways, and door-buster deals, according to a press release statement.
The store will remain open until its usual closing time of 8 p.m. and then will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Our Food Shed Co-op family will celebrate on the opening day,” said Food Shed Co-op General Manager Peter Waldmann. “The community organizing started in 2014. The countless efforts over the last decade are humbling and inspiring to all of our associates. Food Shed Co-op staff, board, and business partners are working hard to meet our timelines. I thank them for their efforts.”
The co-op will not only have the typical produce found in big-name grocery stores but 25% of products sold at Food Shed Co-op will be locally sourced with the profits from sales being kept within McHenry County.
Another draw of the co-op will be the “grab & go deli,” which will offer in-house made items. Residents will also be able to enjoy a juice bar that will have selections made with fresh, local ingredients.
Other store categories will include frozen, dairy, meat, cheese, bakery, bulk, wine, and beer, as well as a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free options.
Since the co-op’s inception, the number of individuals purchasing equity shares in the co-op has soared to over 2,100.
“These people were the visionaries that started a movement and KNEW it was going to succeed,” stated Food Shed Co-op Board President Rusty Foszcz in a press release statement.
Community members who have become “owners” of the co-op may have helped bring the store to fruition, however, co-op leadership reiterates that individuals do not have to be owners to shop at Food Shed Co-op and enjoy the store’s unique offerings.
The co-op is 9,000 square feet in size, with approximately 6,500 square feet of the building being dedicated to retail space, according to the Food Shed Co-op website.
For more information on Food Shed Co-op, individuals can visit its website at foodshed.coop.
