Waterville food co-op in trouble

The future of the downtown Waterville food store Barrels Community Market is uncertain.

The store is operated by the Waterville Food Cooperative.

As reported by the Kennebec Journal, the store closed at the beginning of August for a month to restructure. However, the cooperative’s board of directors notified members on Wednesday that the store will not reopen as planned and that the cooperative itself might dissolve.

David Shipman, executive director of the board, told the paper that doesn’t necessarily mean the store will close permanently. He said the board still hopes to reopen, even if it is in a different location or on a smaller scale.

Barrels started six years ago as a project of the downtown economic group Waterville Main Street. The co-op was formed in 2013 and took over the store.

“People are aware there have been challenges,” Shipman told the paper. “The challenges are there and we’re going to see if we have a way to work through them.”

One of the main challenges of reopening has been coming up with a business plan. Shipman said the co-op is working with Colby College on a plan.

The number of Maine food co-ops has been on the rise in recent years as Mainers seek local foods and greater buying power. Many co-ops aim to offer one-stop shopping, carrying a wide variety of goods. They have become a force in the local economy, backed by development loans and legions of member-owners.

Unlike conventional supermarkets, which can be owned by individuals or corporations, food co-ops typically are owned by their members, each of whom has one voting share. Although food co-ops are open to the public, members receive certain benefits such as discounted prices. And unlike buying clubs, where members are volunteers and pre-order food that they pick up from a warehouse or other location, food co-ops have paid staff and are located in storefronts with regular store hours. That provides access to shopping seven days a week, unlike a farmers market.