 |
June 2023 Newsletter |
Wild Onion Market is our market. We’ll keep dollars local, support local farmers and producers, and help build a sustainable food production and packaging system. Join here!
Spread the word! Share and comment @WildOnionMarket on Facebook
We need to reach 2000 Owners to get the store open… Join our welcoming community. Together, we are building a community-owned grocery store where we can make consumer choices that reflect our values.
 |
 |
Grant Award!
We are thrilled that Wild Onion Market has been awarded a highly competitive ETOD (Equitable Transit Oriented Development) grant from the City of Chicago. The ETOD initiative is intended to revitalize communities in underserved Chicago transit corridors. it is an honor to be included alongside so many worthy community projects. Scroll down to see the list of ETOD winners here.
ETOD grant support brings us one giant step closer to realizing our vision of opening our community-owned grocery store. We are grateful to the City of Chicago for recognizing Wild Onion Market’
Pictured below is our founder Mary Meyer (front row, far left) with other ETOD recipients. We have been awarded up to $250,000, but we are required to submit additional documentation and wait for confirmation from the City Department of Development and Planning of our final award amount. We recognize that there can be administrative costs associated with meeting certain grant requirements and our project timeline may be extended as we await next steps in the grant process. But this is fantastic news, which will help sustain us as we continue to improve our site and raise the remainder of our outstanding funds.
7007 N. Clark Update
Demolition and in-ground plumbing are complete and the most major interior construction is done. We need to finish exterior work, do framing, rough in the electric, etc. Construction is currently paused as we raise capital, grow our Owner base, and finalize the details of our City of Chicago grant. The grant will impact the sub-contractors we work with and our bank funding. The grant works on a reimbursement basis, so cash must be on hand to pay contractors up front before receiving funds from the City.
The goal is to re-start construction this month, with the aim of opening the store in November. There are approximately three months of construction to go, then we start hiring, bring in inventory, set up, train staff, and open the doors!
Events
|
Thursday, June 8 – Board Meeting: 6:30-8:30 PM. Open to all Wild Onion Market Owners. Zoom link:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/ |
|
Saturday, July 29 – Blueberry Bash and Harvest: 10 AM-3 PM Central/11 AM-4 PM Eastern (Local Michigan time), North Sky Farm, South Haven, MI. Cam Davis and Katelyn Varhely (Owners #1068) Following last year’s successful blueberry harvest to benefit Wild Onion Market, Cam David and Katelyn Varhely (Owners #1068) are going for it again this year! Join us for picking organic blueberries to benefit your co-op. Volunteers keep a pint each. Email info@northsky.farm to RSVP and get directions, to learn more, or visit https://northsky.farm.
|
60 New Owners in June – Help Us Get There, Win Great Food!
 |
Help us reach our goal of 60 new Owners in the month of June. JOIN TODAY! Are you already an Owner and want to help us reach or June goal of 60 new Owners? Do you like friendly competition and amazing prizes? The person who is able to sign up the most Owners during the month of June will be celebrated with this amazing prize package: $25 Gift Certificate to Honeybear Cafe $25 Gift Certificate to Smack Dab, AND $50 Gift Certificate to Village Farmstand! Just ask the new Owner to type in your name in the “How did you hear about Wild Onion Market” question when they fill out the form on our website. |
$205 Challenge
 |
 |
We now have 1570 Owners and need to raise the remaining $320,000 of our $1,160,000 Capital Campaign. This means that if every Owner contributes an average of $205, we will reach our goal. Since we launched the $205 Campaign on June 1, 13 Owners have contributed a total of $3,800. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Not all of us have the capacity to give $205, which means that we will need all of us to give what we can. For some that may be $25. For others that may be $2,500. OR donate exactly $205. Join the 205 campaign today at any level you are able.
ANDDDDD…,if you contribute to our capital campaign in any amount, we will give you a FREE official Wild Onion Market shopping bag!
Tax-Deductible donations can be submitted here, to our fiscal partner. Recurring monthly payments are an option! Donations can come from anyone, Owner or not, and are tax-deductible over $25. Email invest@wildonionmarket.com to learn more about Owner-only investment options.
New Board of Directors Member
Kristin Alexander, Board Member since 2019, had to step down from her position in May. Kristin has been instrumental in Wild Onion Market’s site selection and store build out work. Thank you so much to Kristin for your time, dedication, and positivity. Kristin will continue to work with the décor team.
At the May Board meeting, Julie Bernstein will appointed to fill the Board seat. Julie ran for the Board in the 2023 general election and was the fifth highest vote receiver, and therefore eligible to be appointed. She will take a one-year seat and needs to run next year to renew her Board position.
Help the Wild Onion Market Community Grow
- Talk to a couple of friends or co-workers about us.
- Share and comment on a post @WildOnionMarket on Facebook
and Instagram -
Help keep progress towards store opening on track! Support construction by making a further investment or donation, options are explained here.
We are on the move – gaining Owners, fundraising, and getting our store ready to open!
Questions about Wild Onion Market? Email Board@
http://join.wildonionmarket.