By investing in a community market, you are funding an organization that is intended to directly serve its Owners, local producers, and the neighboring community. A community market gives its Owners the ability to directly control or influence decisions made on how the business operates to serve its customers. With a traditional grocery or superstore, the products and services offered are fixed and determined by a controlling interest that is not located within that community. A market owned by the community gives this decision-making power back to the Owners, who are often its most loyal customers, so the offerings are tailored to the specific community it is meant to serve. This is a more democratic and participatory form of running a business.
- Where are you going to be located?
- Well, it NEEDS to be on ________ side of town!
- What if you don't get enough owners?
- Am I going to have to pay more later?
- So, it's members only?
- If it's a co-op, does that mean that it's going to be expensive?
- Will you be cheaper than Walmart?
- What happens to my money if the store never opens?
- Other grocery stores have failed, what makes you different?
- Can I sell my XYZ there?
- What happens if I die before the store is open?
- I heard that there’s a store coming to Whitewater already. Is that true?
- I have other things I have to pay for first.
- When will the store open?
What is the value of a community market to the community it serves?
A:
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