About Chatham Marketplace
Your Local Co-Op Grocer
Owners
Chatham Marketplace is a co-operative business owned entirely by members of the community.
Starting as a business idea proposed by a mom at a children’s playgroup, and a quick search of how to start a co-op grocery store later, Chatham Marketplace opened on May 18, 2006 after several years of community outreach and fundraising.
The Marketplace has grown into a bustling community hub. Recently, a local partnership obtained our debt obligation. We are truly a locally grown and community owned grocery!
What is
a Co-Op?
A cooperative grocery store or co-op grocery store is an independent group of people joining freely to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs via a community owned and democratically governed business - in our case, a co-op grocery store in Pittsboro, NC. Chatham Marketplace serves our owners and employees, our shoppers, our local farmers and local business community, and our broader community by being a flourishing grocery co-op.
Co-Ops are Guided by 7 Basic Principles
Acceptance
Voluntary and non-discriminatory membership/ownership – anyone with an interest for healthy goods and their community are welcome.
Democracy
Democratic control – owners have a voice and a vote! Our owners are free to attend regular meetings and have access to market news.
Economic Participation
Owners contribute financially to their cooperative and receive direct and in-direct financial benefits.
Independence
Co-ops are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members/owners only.
Education
Cooperatives offer education and training to their owners so they can successfully manage their co-op.
Cooperation
Cooperative owners and the cooperative movement in general is served best by working collaboratively with other local, regional, national, and international co-op organizations.
Community
While focusing on owner needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their owners.
Our Team
Victoria Roy
Bookkeeper
Victoria joined the Chatham Marketplace family in early 2020 bringing ten years of food co-op experience with her from Weaver Street Market. She understands the value in connecting with community through food. She is a native of Hillsborough, NC and enjoys cooking, gardening, and singing.
Josh Kagel
IT/POS Coordinator
Josh joined Chatham Marketplace from the former Company Shops Market cooperative grocery in Burlington. Besides being a very experienced IT and Point of Sale system manager, he is the keyboard player for the progressive rock group, BIG Something.
Evan Diamond
General Manager
Evan has worked the food chain from the field to farm stand in his work history. He joined Chatham Marketplace after managing the grocery department at East End Food Cooperative in Pittsburgh.
“I’m excited to come to Chatham Marketplace. As your GM, I will be growing our sales by keeping the store full of healthy, high-quality, and locally produced foods and goods and by ensuring our staff provide excellent customer service! I want all our customers to know that they will have a voice at our co-op and I look forward to hearing your feedback, meeting you all and learning about the community of Pittsboro.”
Tonya Marsh
Kitchen Supervisor
Our Ends Statement
A vision of who we are and what is most important to us.
Chatham Marketplace exists so that Chatham County has:
-
Access to healthy quality food
-
A trusted market to support local and sustainable agriculture
-
A resource for community engagement and education
Round-up Recipients
We partner with organizations looking to better our community by reducing hunger, increasing food resilience, and supporting health, agricultural & environmental causes are welcome to apply.
Our Beautiful Location & Pollinator Garden
The store is located in Chatham Mills, a historic mill building that was once the world’s largest producer of woven clothing labels. The building has been renovated to house a variety of arts, retail and office spaces.
Our beautiful Pollinator Garden, designed and maintained by Debbie Roos, our local agriculture extension agent. attracts people from near and far to the lawn of the mill. Learn more about the garden.
Hours
Open Daily
Mon - Sat: 8 am - 8 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm