Natural Alternative Co-op Loft

Overview

Natural Alternative Food Co-op is truly something of a miracle. In an age of sprawling box stores, who expects to find a beautiful grocery on a small Wisconsin main street filled with healthy, delicious food?

Started in 1974 as a buying club, we moved to our current Luck, Wisconsin storefront in 1991 to fill the need for affordable, high-quality food. We have been an important employer and community center since. Now we are investing even more in this tiny northwestern Wisconsin village and the surrounding rural community we serve by adding the Co-op Loft.

The Co-op Loft will create 2,400 square feet of badly needed office and co-work space on the second floor of our historic building. This space will also provide the fast and affordable internet access that can be hard to find in rural Wisconsin.

Co-op owners have already contributed more than 300 hours of labor and $15,000 in capital for the project. To complete the wiring, refinish the original wood floors and install a security door we need to raise another $10,000.

We ask that you invest with us TODAY in a vibrant, long-term FUTURE for our wonderful rural Wisconsin community.  

Background

With more than 43 years of operation, our co-op has 635 active member households; 100 of these were added just in the last year. Our 2016 sales were $410,000, with close to $100,000 going to payroll expenses, creating jobs in our community. We support more than 50 farmers and small businesses by selling everything from lamb chops to organic milk and lip balm.

After paying rent for years, we purchased our building in 2004 and have completed more than $100,000 in upgrades and repairs over the past 13 years, including a major retail store renovation in 2015.

The Need

Driven by member volunteers, we began work on our upstairs space in early 2017 and started renting a 280-square-foot art studio space in February. Our master plan includes three more offices of between 140 and 200 square feet and a large space usable by up to eight co-workers. A wide hallway will function as a waiting area; renters will also have access to a meeting room and restroom.

We’ve developed a detailed capital budget for our loft project, and have already raised more than $15,000 in capital from co-op members – for which we are very grateful! With that support we’ve already installed a new heating and cooling system, repaired and painted walls and ceilings, and rewired two offices.

But there’s still a lot of work to be done! That’s why we’re asking you to invest in one rural Wisconsin community. Meeting our $10,000 goal will allow us to bring this project very nearly to completion by adding additional wiring, refinishing the floors and installing a secure outside entry.

Your donation of any amount is very much appreciated. Take action today and join us for the grand opening of our new Co-op Loft next spring!

http://www.nafoodcoop.com
https://www.facebook.com/nafoodcoop/