About The London Co-op Store
Our mission and values
The London Co-op Store is a non-profit, member-owned, co-operatively governed natural food store. We strive to supply our members with healthy, natural and organic products at fair prices. We value social and economic responsibility, respect for the earth and a caring sense of community.
The London Co-op Store is founded on the following values:
- Food for People, Not for Profit
- Health and Wellbeing
- The Environment
- Sustainability
- Social Responsibility
- Community
These values translate into offering a diversity of natural foods and other products for daily living that meet the following criteria whenever possible:
- organically produced
- containing only natural and healthy, non-toxic ingredients
- minimally processed
- minimally packaged
- locally produced
- grown by independent farmers
- fair trade
Our history
The London Co-op Store was established in 1970 by a group of people concerned about the high cost of natural foods in local health food outlets. That year, a group of approximately 25 people met to discuss setting up a direct charge co-op. Representatives from the United Co-operatives of Ontario and the Ontario government's Credit Unions and Co-operatives Office gave information about how co-operatives could be organized and established as a legal entity.
In December 1970, the London Co-op Store was officially incorporated under the Co-operative Corporations Act of Ontario. Starting with 15 memberships and operating out of a member's house, six items were offered on a pre-order basis. Within six weeks, there was enough interest for the original group to find a small lock-up store, on Central Avenue east of English Street.
Shortly after this move, the members decided that the day-to-day operations of the store were becoming too demanding to rely exclusively on member volunteers. By June 1972, the Co-op had grown to 85 memberships and a move to 419 Hamilton Road was made. The first full-time manager was hired.
As the Co-op grew steadily in 1977, new problems arose. Most serious were low member participation and a cramped store. A special general meeting was held and members were asked if they wanted the Co-op to survive and continue growing. Those attending gave a strong yes on survival, a qualified yes on growth, and agreed to make a larger contribution to the store's operation. In June 1977 a major move was made to a larger store at 820 Cabell Street.
As management tasks became more than one full-time manager could handle, part-time managers were hired. Then, in late 1981, after problems with renewing the lease, several options were considered. Many favoured buying a permanent location, but without sufficient capital, a search was conducted to find a new lease and the store was opened at 621 Princess Avenue in March 1983.
