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Natural Awakenings Bucks and Montgomery Counties PA

Partnership Planned Between Ambler Food and Weavers Way Co-ops

The Ambler Food Co-op has announced a planned partnership with Weavers Way Co-op. The two organizations will work together toward the shared goal of bringing a new, community-run grocery store to Ambler-area residents. Weavers Way offers decades of experience, having operated two successful community-owned grocery stores in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy.

The co-ops plan to secure a space on Butler Avenue in downtown Ambler shortly, with a goal of opening the new store by April 2017. When the new store site is secured, likely in September, Ambler Food Co-op members will vote on joining Weavers Way Co-op.

A co-op is a community-owned and operated, full-service grocery store that offers an array of staples, including meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables, grains, pet food, health and beauty products, and more. Ambler-area residents are encouraged to become co-op members, as membership is what will make it possible to open the store.

“The store is a major project that will have tremendous, positive impact on the borough and beyond, creating jobs, improving access to locally sourced foods and products, and boosting local businesses,” notes the Ambler Food Co-op Board of Directors. “The scale and scope of the services offered will be directly impacted by the amount of funds raised and input gathered from the membership.”

Efforts have been made to keep membership affordable. The entry-level membership per household is just $30 per year (with the option to contribute more to help raise the capital for the store’s opening). A one-time payment of $400 gets members a lifetime membership investment with no annual fee. A full investment comes with a $100 sales promotion card to spend at either Weavers Way’s existing stores or at the Ambler Food store when it opens. Both the full investment and the partial payment entitle a household to full membership, with all rights and privileges as an equity shareholder and owner of the co-op.

“Store plans will be shared with members shortly to help the store development team create a vision for what the co-op can and will be,” board members explain. “We encourage people to join so they can have their ideas and opinions heard.”

For more information, call 215-326-9792, email [email protected] or visit AmblerFoodCoop.org.

September 2016