Greetings, fellow Co-op Owners! It’s been a while since our Co-op Board has communicated with you. We formed a new board at the beginning of 2026 and as always, the first item of business is to thank YOU for your support of the Co-op: through ownership, shopping, and goodwill. At last fall’s annual meeting we shared an astounding statistic: 77% of all sales come from our owners – and we sincerely appreciate you!
Our focus and priority in 2026 so far has been supporting and engaging our staff so the store can continue to serve the community in the ways we have all come to know and love. Co-op leadership and the Board have prioritized a number of new benefits to continue meeting our 4th End: A source of employment that provides meaningful work and fair compensation.
Would you be surprised to know that our ownership is also growing? It is! We’re continuing to see new folks sign up since owners can take advantage of an extra 10% off Co-op Deals for everyday savings. We know how much you value the wide array of products our buyers continue to bring in too, and we appreciate your comments about that. Be sure to look for the NEW signs in each aisle the next time you’re in.
In addition to providing value at the register, there have been a host of other exciting changes in the store, many that you’ve likely already noticed:
– Our produce department got an amazing revamp to ensure fresher produce and better availability
– There’s a new cooler in the entry so we can showcase seasonal supplies and deals
– The deli is serving up more specialty diet options for our customers who are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free
– Coming soon: new art (on loan) for the entry, as well as working with the Grand Marais Food Shelf on offering fresh produce, *and* more news on our 50th anniversary celebration later this year
If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to email us or reach out on the contact page at cookcounty.coop. We address owner comments at each board meeting and you’re always welcome to join us for one. Our meetings are generally held the fourth Tuesday of every month – just let us know you are coming!
Thank you to each and every one of you – it is your involvement, contributions, and patronage of our Co-op that makes all the work our staff, leadership, and Board do worth it!
Sincerely,
Yusef Orest
Board President