The Keweenaw Co-op started in 1973 as a pre-order bulk-buying club to provide the community with natural and organic foods that were otherwise not available at that time.
Our first home was the back room of Funkey’s Karma Cafe in downtown Houghton. The Co-op grew quickly, outlived the restaurant, and soon moved to a small retail space in Hancock that operated with an all volunteer staff. In 1986, after moving two more times, significantly increasing our product line, and supporting a paid staff, the Co-op moved to the current location and opened as a “full-line grocery store”.
In 2010, by vote of the Membership, the Co-op reincorporated as a true cooperative. This change created a true Ownership of the Co-op by requiring Owners to own a share of Co-op Common stock (Membership Stock). By increasing our Owners’ economic participation and investment, we created a stronger and more financially sound
business.
Today, we remain the exclusive market for goods and services that appeal to consumers who have a meaningful sense of environmental and social responsibility and incorporate those values into their buying decisions.
