Todd’s Top 10

What are some of the memorable moments throughout the years?

Please bear with a possible personal bias, here are Todd’s Top Ten!

1. Early Operation. The Co-op was run by a wide base of working members, from all over the County and beyond. Monthly meetings were open to anyone, pretty much a voluntary rotating caucus. Issues, like selling coffee, were long debates and challenging, when some people thought consensus and filibuster were the same. Somehow, the Co-op moved along. I think it was really the potluck that held it all together.

2. Fundraising Events. Aside from a small amount of member dues paid, there really wasn’t any money. So, we did “Go Fund Me”, which in those days meant putting on a dance or a dinner to raise funds. The culmination of this was the Magic Skagit Music Festival. The Co-op participated in this event for ten years to prevent the building of a nuclear plant on the Skagit. The Co-op did all the concessions, feeding a couple thousand people great food. Between Magic Skagit money and slowly growing sales and modest profits, we began to think of looking beyond our tiny home.

3. Home. Seeing the empty space, 5000 square feet, at the north end of what is now The Co-op Building, and thinking, “How the hell will we ever fill this space up?” Funny to me now.

4. Manifest Destiny. When space became available we took it. 1985, 1988, 1991, 2000, 2007, 2016.

5. Food Service. That day in 1988 when we opened our Deli, the Deli Next Door. Instead of my anticipated standing back and enjoying the scene, I was immediately sucked into the alternate reality of food service where stuff runs out fast, people are hangry, dishes are always dirty, and there is seldom enough staff.

6. Success. When, after years of being the “longhaired, granola-eating, birkenstocked liberals” it became undeniable that the Co-op was Downtown’s anchor business. Yes, take that! I still get a kick out of that!

7. Floods. There were way too many floods over the years, but a crew always assembled to fill sand bags, stack them on the revetment and in front of the Co-op’s doors, lift product and what equipment we could off the floor. Then, a couple days later, do all this in reverse. One year we had to do that and then repeat it two weeks later. I have to say, it was the ultimate in high-octane cooperation.

8. Buying the Building. What a great feeling: a sense of being in control of our destiny, knowing that our work today could have legs into tomorrow, and be enjoyed by future generations.

9. C-SQUARE. The day-long party we threw when we unveiled to everyone all the great work and fabulous foods we created in our beautiful new building.

10. Me! Retiring one month before the State went into pandemic shutdown. And I just want to say to all the staff that have accused me – I had no hand in planning the timing of COVID!

What are the key hurdles the Co-op has had to overcome over the years?

I think there were three main phases. First, there was all the work of establishing and building a market. We had to not only teach people the WHY of organics and wholesome food, but HOW. Volunteers put in hundreds of hours, going all over the County, teaching people how to cook grains, bake bread, make tofu, and how to can, dry, and grow food. All this at a time when “granola-eater” was used as an insult.

As we gained success at this we sort of created our second challenge: that of running a successful, sustainable business. We’d moved, we expanded, and opened the Deli Next Door. We expanded, again and again. Each effort brought more members, more staff, and more sales. “Benefits”, “Marketing”, “Income statements and Balance Sheets” replaced the discussions of long-grain versus short, or how to pronounce quinoa.

By this time, the Co-op was successful, anchoring Downtown. Our earlier dream of getting people to embrace natural, organic food had been firmly realized. Now, the challenge was how to maintain relevance in these times of grocery consolidation and retail extinction, leading us to the final question…

What would be lost if the Co-op wasn’t there? Does it matter anymore?

That really is the question, isn’t it? What next, and why?

You know, there are some things that I am resolute about: Dessert is an important part of the food pyramid. Grandkids are great. The Seahawks will be better this year. And, that the Co-op matters.

Our efforts, your efforts, are broad and deep. Growing and expanding organic, regenerative agriculture is so critical for our future. Fair Trade: where a few purchases can truly change a person’s life. Truth in labeling and transparency protects what we have helped build from unethical manipulation. Supporting local business and ethical vendors is the right thing to do. What better way to focus on our community than through nourishment, education, and donations? The International Cooperative Principles and our own Mission Statement are righteous in and of themselves.

There are so many things that set the Co-op apart and make it so uniquely special. But for me, it is also personal.

For me, I need there to be a strong co-op long into the future. I don’t want to feel like I am alone in a world that seems increasingly irrational. Knowing, and seeing, that there are thousands of people, who, at some level, embrace the ideals that the Coop embodies. To me the Co-op is not just a store, or a Third Place, it is a sane place – a place I can support, that continues to raise the bar, for us, for our community, and for our future.

I am so thankful to everyone who has helped bring us to this point. In 1973, the odds on the Co-op having a 50th birthday party would not have been all that great, but, every week I’m going to keep putting my money down on the Co-op having a long and prosperous future, and I hope you’ll join me.

Linden Rowell

CASHIER TEAM MEMBER

CO-OP EMPLOYEE SINCE DECEMBER 2022

Favorite Customer Moment:

Personally, my favorite customer interactions are the ones where the customer is able to get me to laugh and it causes my coworkers to laugh as well. There is not enough laughter in the world.

Favorite Item in the Co-op:

Cinnamon Buns from the Deli!

...and for a more practical perspective, the Sky Valley Farm jumbo eggs in the plain container.

Favorite way to spend time outside of work: Taking my Service Dog, Fabio (pictured with me) to local dog parks, learning about canine behavior, baking, and helping with the care of my potted apple trees.

Customer Service Awards for Linden:

Though Linden has been with the Co-op for less than a year, she’s made a big impression on you, our shoppers! Here are just a few of the kind words you all had to share about your interactions with Linden:

“Linden is such a sweet cashier! I ran into her a few weeks ago as she was waiting (off work) for something in the deli. Didn’t recognize her at first (out of context) but I said “Hey, now I know you -- you’re usually on the other side of the counter!” And she laughed in recognition. She’s the best!”

“It was great to have the opportunity to go through Linden’s checkout line. I’ve seen her shopping in the store several times when she’s not working and it makes me feel good to know that she actually uses the same products and has the same shopping experience that I do.”

“She helped me clarify my EBT snap benefits because sometimes if the balance is low it is declined. She was very helpful and kind.”