Chicago Market Newsletter - October 2018
Chicago Market Featured on WBEZ's Curious City!
Some Chicago residents wrote in to WBEZ's Curious City asking, "Why aren't there more co-op grocery stores in Chicago?" Reporter Monica Eng came out to visit our future store and spoke with Greg Berlowitz and we're proud to be part of her story, which aired last week. Have a listen - you'll learn some Chicago co-op history and see where we fit in to the growing movement to have a stronger cooperative food culture here in our beloved city.
LISTEN HERE!
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Special Owners-only Offer!
We love to support all the other small, independent businesses in our area and River Valley Farmer's Table is just that, PLUS, they're owned by a farm, so we doubly love them and they have a special offer for you:
River Valley Farmer's Table is proud to partner with Chicago Market in their efforts to further the growth of sustainable, local businesses in our community.
River Valley Farmer's Table is proud to partner with Chicago Market in their efforts to further the growth of sustainable, local businesses in our community.
As a farmer-owned and -operated restaurant and grocery, we would like to give back to all those in Chicago going out of their way to purchase consciously and support local farms!
We are offering an ongoing 10% discount off all food and beverages in our Wilson Ave restaurant for all Chicago Market Owners. Join us for true farm-to-table brunch and lunch Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm and Saturday/Sunday 9am-5pm at 1820 W Wilson Ave. Offer good for items purchased by Owners only; valid only for items purchased for dine-in or takeout in our restaurant. Not applicable to retail/grocery sales. (show your Owner card for discount; reach out to Kelly if you need yours)
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Owner Corner
How can you support your Co-op?
In the summer of 2014, we launched a bold campaign to recruit our first Owners and more than 650 people joined us in that first 100 days. It was an exciting time and proved that you, the community wanted this Co-op enough to participate financially.
In the summer of 2014, we launched a bold campaign to recruit our first Owners and more than 650 people joined us in that first 100 days. It was an exciting time and proved that you, the community wanted this Co-op enough to participate financially.
We're in another push for Owner growth right now. We're just over 1400 Owners strong, but our funding plan calls for 2000 by December 31. The Board and our volunteers are working hard on Owner growth, but WE NEED YOU! Rally with us to ensure we open as quickly as possible! Tell everyone you know...and also consider these two ways you can help:
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Host a House Party - Our House Party Toolkit has all the info you need to throw a party that introduces your friends to your passion for Chicago Market. Line it up and we'll send someone to speak briefly. It's fun and you'll be welcoming your friends to your Co-op community.
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Make an Owner Loan - Owner Loans are the tried and true co-op method of funding the design and build costs of a grocery store like ours. The first step was to build a strong community - that's YOU, more than 1400 strong! Now, as part of our Grow. Fund. Build. strategy, we need to raise capital. Owners will cover a large percentage of the cost of our store and that happens through Owner Loans - read a little more about that here. In the Owners-only portal on our website you will find our Prospectus and more info. We've just kicked off our campaign and it runs through Thanksgiving. Email our Owner Loan coordinator to get started or RSVP for one of our Owner Loan Info Sessions:
- October 21, 11:00am
- October 25, 7:00pm
- October 30, 7:30pm
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Upcoming Events
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WBEZ Co-op Gathering - after all the outpouring of interest in co-ops, WBEZ is hosting a get-together for the cooperatively minded. Join us at the Dill Pickle Co-op for Curious City: Community Conversation, 2746 N. Milwaukee, October 25, 6:30-7:30pm.
- Bring someone to our Ownership Info Session, noon, Oct 20 at Bezazian Branch Library (1226 W. Ainslie). RSVP here.
- Taste of Ravenswood - join us for an evening of hand-crafted bites and sips in the heart of Ravenswood, Friday, November 9. Get your tickets now.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Stewardship Committee
Our future home is beautiful but needs care before we open. The Stewardship Committee will lead the coordination effort necessary to maintain the safe, secure and dignified presentation of the historic structure, parking lot and adjoining public way. The Committee will also lead community outreach to initiate and strengthen bonds with existing neighborhood organizations. Interested in joining the team? Email us.
Accountant
We're looking for a CPA who can help us with accounting duties. If that's you, email us.
Owner Loan Campaign caller
Owner Loan Campaign caller
Our Owner Loan campaign team needs callers. It's easy and helps build YOUR store. Email our volunteer coordinator to learn more.
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