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You can pick up a brochure in the store or download a copy by clicking here.

Just fill out the member-owner application page and give it to the cashier with your selected payment option (see below) or you can mail it to us with your payment. That's it!

Making It Work—Member Equity

A member-owner equity share price in the Old Creamery Co-op costs $150. This can be paid all at once, or over time: time payments to become a member-owner are a $15 initial payment and then $15 per month for the following nine months. As long as your membership is fully paid within a year your membership will remain active and you can enjoy all the benifits of member-ownership.

Like to become a member-owner but don't think you can afford it? Read about our Revolving Equity Fund (REF).

Member-owners are critical for the Old Creamery Co-op’s success. Like all businesses, the Co-op is built on capital and require financing to maintain the operations of a retail store. 

If you have questions, email us and we will get back to you quickly.

Member-Owner Benefits

As a member-owner, your benefits will include:

• Pride in keeping the Old Creamery a vibrant and sustainable community resource for years to come.
• A voice in the Co-op’s decisions.
• Eligibility to vote for and serve on the Board of Directors.
• Access to the Co-op’s future Patronage Dividend Program when declared by the board.
• Storewide discounts on Owner Appreciation Days.
• Discounts on special case orders.
• The opportunity to directly support important local priorities through job creation, supporting local food growers and suppliers, and fostering cooperation among people, businesses, towns, and area organizations. 

All cooperative businesses are owned by their members. This is a fundamental principle to the concept of a co-op. Co-op member-owners contribute money to purchase equity in the business. With this equity, member-owners get a say in how the business is run by electing the Board of Directors, which hires and supervises the general manager, who hires and supervises staff and runs the day-to-day business operations.

Member-owners have numerous opportunities to provide input into the mission, priorities, and programs of the business. Co-ops are founded on democratic principles. Member-owners vote on all matters brought before them by the Board of Directors. One person, one vote.

The cost of an equity share in the co-op is established by the Board of Directors based on the capital needed to establish/operate the co-op. From time to time over the life of the co-op, the board may determine that there is a need for additional capital and may increase the amount of required owner equity. (Typically this is done when there are expansion/relocation initiatives or major capital improvement to the existing co-op, which are initiated or supported by the member-owners.) Most co-ops offer some option for making equity payments over time to ensure that ownership opportunity is available and accessible to as many people as possible. Member-ownership in the co-op is always voluntary. Member-owners may choose to leave the co-op at any time and may request a refund of their equity. (For example, an individual might move out of the area and not want to continue membership in the co-op.) The Board of Directors has the right to determine the timing of return of equity, based on the best interests of the co-op.

In addition to purchase of the initial member-owner equity share, many co-op supporters also choose to provide additional financial support to the co-op. Additional support may be offered in the form of gifts. 

It is important to note that all businesses have an element of risk. A co-op is no different. In most cases, the member-owner’s risk is limited to his or her equity investment in the business. Some exceptions, for example, are if the member-owner also provides a loan to the co-op, or if the member-owner serves on the Board of Directors of the the co-op.

Most co-ops are for-profit businesses. And many co-ops measure themselves on the “triple bottom line,” making sure that they have positive performance in the successful operations of the business, and also in the social and environmental impact of their work.