City Market - the past, the present and the new South End Location on Flynn Avenue

Food cooperatives offer a unique business model as well as a great way for customers to own where they shop. City Market in Burlington, incorporated in 1973, is owned by its 12,000 Members who purchase equity in the Co-op and receive many benefits in return. Food co-ops like City Market exist to meet the needs of their Members and to benefit the communities in which they operate. City Market (at $41 million in sales last fiscal year) is one of the largest single store food co-ops, in terms of sales, in the United States and they’re well on their way to opening two more stores in the next year. Let’s talk about what makes food co-ops unique and what City Market’s plans are for expansion.

Allison is the Director of Community Engagement at City Market for the past 12 years and originally had a background in Finance and Human Resources. As part of the Co-op’s leadership team, she works with the other Directors to ensure they are working to best meet the needs of the Burlington community, the co-op staff and members each and every day. The Community Engagement department is specifically responsible for marketing and promotions, social media and online presence, branding, customer experience, food demos, classes and education, Co-op events, sponsorships and donations, e-newsletters, in-store signage, and Membership and all associated benefits.