Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Community-Owned Grocery & Cafe in Milwaukee
We are a community-based, member-owned grocery store and cafe operating in Milwaukee's Riverwest Cooperative neighborhood since November 2001. Our business model prioritizes community needs over profit, offering organic, local, and fair trade products while adhering to cooperative principles. Through 21 years of operation, we have maintained a democratic structure where members actively participate in decision-making. Our cafe complements the grocery by serving vegetarian and vegan meals using the same high-quality ingredients available in-store.We emphasize sustainability through initiatives like solar panel installation and packaging reduction programs. The co-op relies on volunteer efforts and member investments to maintain operations while fostering connections between food producers and consumers. Despite recent financial challenges, we remain committed to serving the community until all ethical closure processes are finalized.
Services
Grocery Store
Cafe Services
Membership Program
Volunteer Opportunities
Sustainability Initiatives
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We operate as a democratically governed member-owned cooperative
- Our products emphasize organic, local, and fair trade certifications
- We maintain a volunteer-driven operational model since 2001
- Our cafe uses same high-quality ingredients as our grocery store
- We implement sustainability initiatives like rooftop solar energy
What people say
Community-driven model
Excellent vegan options
Supports local producers
Sustainable practices
Volunteer engagement
Services
Grocery Store
Our grocery store provides organic, local, and fair trade food products to Milwaukee's Riverwest Cooperative community. We emphasize sustainable sourcing while maintaining competitive pricing. The store operates as a democratic cooperative where members influence product selection and business decisions.
Cafe Services
The cafe serves vegetarian and vegan meals using ingredients available in our grocery store. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, it offers hot/cold deli options and has become Milwaukee's original vegan dining destination since 2004.
Membership Program
Our membership program allows community investment through $22 annual or $122 lifetime memberships. Members receive voting rights in cooperative decisions and access to volunteer opportunities that provide store discounts and meal benefits.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer programs enable community members to participate in cooperative operations through various committees. Volunteers earn a 10% discount and meal benefits while contributing to the co-op's democratic governance and sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability efforts include rooftop solar panels, packaging reduction programs, and Boomerang bag reuse systems. The committee works with building owners and suppliers to minimize environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.
People
John Van Akkeren
President
John leads the board in maintaining cooperative sustainability while overseeing strategic growth initiatives. He has served on the board since 2015 and focuses on financial stewardship.
Wendy Mesich
Interim Treasurer
Wendy manages financial operations and works with committees to ensure fiscal responsibility. She has served in various board roles since the co-op's founding.
JJ Burch
Secretary
JJ maintains organizational records and ensures compliance with cooperative governance standards. He has contributed to policy development since joining the board in 2018.
Questions
Is Riverwest Cooperative Co-op closing permanently?
Yes, the board has initiated ethical closure processes due to financial difficulties, with final operations pending member approval.
Can I still shop at the co-op?
Yes, both grocery and cafe remain open until closure processes complete. Regular hours apply through September 2025.
What happens to my membership fees?
Membership funds are being addressed through bankruptcy proceedings. Updates will follow after legal consultations conclude.
Are volunteer opportunities still available?
Yes, volunteers continue supporting operations through current closure timelines while earning discounts and meal benefits.
How does the cooperative governance work?
Members vote annually on board directors and major decisions through democratic processes outlined in our cooperative principles.
