Buying Club Fund-Raiser to Begin in March

As many of you already know, we are planning on leasing the space previously occupied by Such A Deal, the flea market that used to be in West Park Center. The owners of the space have requested a $1,500 deposit, to be paid by March 1, 2008. That deposit will secure the space for us until May 1, 2008, at which time we would move forward and obtain our long-term lease. As we have been for the past few weeks, we are continuing to raise funds for all aspects of opening Local Roots Co-op.

Today, we need your help in a different way. We are planning on using the space in a unique and different way. What we propose is that we set up a temporary "buying club" operation in the West Park space. Orders would be taken once per week. We would receive delivery of all types of natural foods, and other merchandise, from United Natural Foods in Denver. We would use the space as a distribution area and sell everything to you at regular retail pricing. This would be the food and other items that you are already buying, from wherever you buy it now.

The operation would be staffed and run by volunteers (All of Us!), and all profit would be used to further our fund-raising goals. Note: as this is a fund-raising activity, the discount that members would expect to receive once we open will not yet go into effect. Also, although buying from United Natural Foods is convenient for the purpose of this fund-raiser, it does not in many ways fulfill the goals of Local Roots Co-op. There is no direct relationship with the food producer, and the producers who utilize this large distributor may not satisfy our criteria for giving preference to local producers. This fund-raiser is not meant to reflect or define the character of the future Local Roots Co-op.

Thanks very much for your continued interest and support. We are working hard to bring your local, Estes Park co-op to you as soon as possible!