By Jordan Mann
The Sugar Beet has been in the planning stages since 2012 and has finally opened. The Sugar Beet is a food co-op, meaning it is owned by many of its customers. One does not have to be an owner to shop there and anyone can become an owner.
There are currently over 1300 owners. Owners have the opportunity to participate in the “Democratic leadership or governance of the co-op”, according to general manager, Chris Roland. Owners can vote for the Board of Directors and vote on changes to the co-op’s bylaws.
Other benefits of ownership in include discounts: 5% off your purchases one day each month (you choose the day), 20% off orders when you buy a full case of something and 15% off vitamins and supplements on the first Wednesday of each month. Other discounts and benefits are listed on the website.
The cost for ownership is $250.00 however students, seniors and financially challenged families can own a share for just $50.00 and receive all the same benefits. A share at The Sugar Beet is similar to a share in a publicly held company. It is a onetime charge, not an annual membership fee and you can sell your share back to the co-op at anytime for the original paid amount. So when you graduate and move away you can sell your share back to Sugar Beet for the $50 you paid to purchase the share, or maybe sell it to an innocent incoming freshman for $75.
When the Sugar Beet becomes profitable, the board will vote on how much of the profit goes back to the owners as a dividend and how much is reinvested into the co-op.
The co-op carries a lot of organic and locally produced food as desired by the owners. Roland explained saying, “We are serious about listening to our customers and our owners about what products to carry, if people don’t see what they want, make a recommendation and we’ll try to get it in the store for them.”
The store has 32 very friendly and helpful employees. Lisa Tipton, a holistic health practitioner and yoga instructor, works the vitamins and supplements isle. Tipton knows every item in the isle and is more than happy to direct you to what you need for what ails you.
The store also features a coffee and smoothie bar. “We get a great response to the coffee we’re brewing and because we are open at 7 am” said Roland.
The Sugar Beet Food Co-op is at 812 W. Madison in Oak Park, about a mile from campus. Store hours are 7 am to 9 pm seven days a week. For more information visit their web site at https://sugarbeetco-op.squarespace.com/
