January 2023

There is great progress being made!

We are set to begin the first phase of construction in the next couple of weeks. We have spent the last 2 weeks working with our design team, architects, equipment contractor, and general contractor to finalize our plan and make final adjustments as we get ready to start construction. We have made final decisions about the positioning of our refrigerator and freezer cases. We have made small changes to the positioning of walls and drains to accommodate the placement of our produce, dairy, and freezer cases. There were many other little decisions made that affected plumbing and electric work, such as the location of sinks, location of the bulk coffee grinder, and placement of our deli scale/printer.

The construction team will be digging trenches in the concrete floor to install plumbing, frame walls, and complete the first phase of plumbing and electric. This is all the work that happens before the walls are closed in. This first phase is scheduled to take 5-6 weeks, and the build-out from start to finish is scheduled to take about 16 weeks.

Contractors, architects, and General Manager making some final decisions.

See General Manager John Calhoun’s Facebook Live site tour. Take a peek with John inside the store during demolition. He’ll also walk us around as he points out where key parts of the store will be, like our bulk food, prepared foods, refrigerators for beverages as well as dairy and fresh meats.

Take a look at our front façade – it is painted Wild Onion Market‘s blue-green, old signage is down, and new signage is prepped!  Floor plan can be seen here.

The dream that started in 2014 is becoming a reality! We are building a market to support local producers, our communities, and a better food system. Join our movement!

Wild Onion Market is building our grocery store at 7007 N. Clark Street in Rogers Park, Chicago. Become an Owner now and your one-time investment of $250 will go straight into our next construction phase:

· plumbing and electrical work

· new flooring

Help keep progress towards store opening on track! Support construction by making a further investment or donation, options are explained here.

Board Elections

Consider becoming one of our Board Directors and run for a position in the 2023 election. 

Why run, you ask? Because of your passion and commitment to our mission and purpose; see Wild Onion Market Vision. Because of links between what the Board does and the interests and skills that you have. Because you want to listen to and help represent the multiple beliefs and valuable viewpoints that come from the range of unique and diverse populations in our community. We seek as a Board to be intentional about inviting new Board members from often disenfranchised populations; we open our doors to different ideas and conversations. Bottom line? We want our Board of Directors to show caring for others related to bringing healthy local food to people in environmentally-conscious ways and through cooperative economic pathways. 

Have we piqued your curiosity? Do you have insights to share related to recruitment of new owners, fundraising, and/or connections to people and organizations around the north Chicago, Evanston, and nearby collar suburbs?

Download our application and information packet: 2023 WOM Board Application Packet.docx

 THE BENEFITS OF OWNERSHIP

From John Calhoun, our General Manager:

We have updated our goal, and we are now planning to reach 2,000 owners by opening day. Many of you have expressed interest in Wild Onion Market, but you haven’t yet taken the plunge and joined. Today is the day! We want you to join us and help open a community-owned, values-driven grocery store. We have a long list of reasons why Wild Onion Market will be such a fantastic place to shop, but many of you may be wondering why you should become an Owner if our store will be open to non-owners as well. GOOD QUESTION!! Here is a list of benefits of being an Owner of Wild Onion Market:

● Owners are eligible to run for a seat on the Board of Directors.

● Every Owner has one vote in Board of Director elections and special elections.

● Owners have the ability to have real input into the values expressed by our co-op and the products on our shelves.

● During years that the co-op is profitable, Owners will receive a portion of the profits of the store.

● Owners will receive discounts on Owner-only sale items.

● Once a month during Owner Appreciation Day, Owners will receive a 10% discount at the register all day long.

● Owners will have an opportunity to volunteer at their co-op and receive extra discounts.

● Owners will have the ability to make special orders and receive case discounts.

Friends of the Evanston Farmers Markets (FEFM) has open positions on their Board and is looking for candidates. They are seeking individuals who are interested in promoting the Evanston Markets, educating the public about the benefits of eating fresh, locally grown foods, and advocating for greater access to healthy food for all community members, regardless of income. The board raises “matching” funds to help LINK participants’ food dollar go farther at area community markets, and organizes educational events regarding healthy food. FEFM is seeking people with leadership skills, experience, and enthusiasm. If interested in learning more, please contact Nancy Graham at 773-742-3868.