What Does It Mean to Be a Founding Member-Owner?

Imagine walking into Big River Grocery someday and seeing the shelves stocked, neighbors shopping, and the doors open.

Now imagine being able to say:

“I helped build this.”

That's what being an early member-owner can mean.

Big River Grocery is being developed as a cooperative. Member-owners make a financial commitment to the cooperative and become part of the community that owns it.

A founding member is someone who chooses to support the cooperative during its early development—before there is a finished store.

That means founding members are supporting the project while there is still uncertainty and plenty of work ahead.

Our goal is to build an initial community of 1,200 member-owners.

Getting there will take conversations, outreach, events, education, and people sharing why they believe a community-owned grocery store is worth building.

You don't have to wait until the doors open to be part of Big River Grocery.

You can get involved now.

Start by learning more. Attend an event. Talk with a Steering Committee member. Ask questions. And when you're ready, consider becoming a member-owner.

This is the beginning.

And someday, we hope you'll be able to look around Big River Grocery and say:

“I helped build this.”

Want to start at the beginning? Read the first post in this series: “Why Are We Talking About Big River Grocery So Early?”