Wedge: the Early Years

Following five months of planning, a determined group of neighbors opened the Wedge Co-op in November of 1974. The first store was in a basement apartment on Franklin Avenue and sold natural, unrefined bulk foods, as well as fresh produce and dairy, frozen vegetables and fish. Many members were interested in health, the environment, sustainable agriculture and social justice; the cooperative business model ensured that the fledgling store would reflect the membership commitment to these concerns as it grew. That commitment is still an integral part of the Wedge.

In those early days, members worked in the store in exchange for a discount on purchases while a small paid staff coordinated their efforts. Sales rapidly outgrew capacity at the Franklin location, and in 1979 the co-op moved to a small convenience store on Lyndale Avenue. Management and membership structures evolved in response to the growing natural foods market and changes in the member base. The Wedge eliminated the member labor program in 1992 due to lack of participation.

The growing membership needed more room, and in 1992 the Wedge built a new store adjacent to the old site. In spring of 1997 an addition was opened which doubled the retail space and included a teaching kitchen. A bakery was built on the south side of the store in 2001. In 2005, the co-op doubled the sized of its produce wholesaler, Co-op Partners Warehouse, to better serve local producers and to make their products readily available throughout the area. This move deepened relationships with local farmers and producers, and reflects the concerns our membership for a vibrant local food economy.

As the membership changes, so does the co-op. Member needs determine the kinds of products we carry and the direction our business will take. We remain rooted in our founding values while addressing emerging developments such as fair trade, local purchasing and a variety of sustainability questions.