In the fall of 1999, members of the Riverwest Workers Buying Club and other community members decided to dedicate their time and resources toward building a viable neighborhood food co-­op. A building was made available thanks to the generosity of two loyal members who purchased the former Schlitz Tied House (built in 1904) specifically to have the Riverwest Co-­op as their main tenant. After two years of planning and fundraising, and after thousands of hours of “blood, sweat, and tears,” the Co-­op opened its doors to the public in November of 2001.

The first three years saw steady growth in an expanded inventory, more equipment (including bulk bins), and our first paid employees. The Co-­op now boasts over 1300 members and 60 active volunteers. Their efforts translate into tens of thousands of volunteer hours. They are the heart and soul of the Riverwest Co-­op.

The Riverwest Co-­op Café opened in October 2004. This modern, cozy eatery was transformed from an adjacent garage space into a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Come in to warm up with soup or coffee and cool down with a smoothie! Brunch is served every day. Many nights have specials, including the world famous Taco Tuesday!
You can read more about the early history of the Co-op’s formation at the Co-operative Grocers’ Information Network and in the Riverwest Currents. You can learn about Co-operatives at Wikipedia.