Wild Onion Market, a community-driven grocery cooperative in Rogers Park, celebrated its grand opening this week amid much enthusiasm from locals and the store's collective owners. A decade in the making, the store officially opened its doors on June 12 at 7007 N. Clark St., bringing to fruition a long-held vision for a community-owned food hub offering fresh produce and local goods. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the opening was marked by speeches, a ribbon cutting, and live music, signaling a new chapter in the neighborhood's commerce.
At the inaugural event, Mary Meyer, co-founder of Wild Onion Market and a Rogers Park resident for 30 years, expressed her gratitude to those gathered, noting that the realization of the co-op had been a community effort. She had been thinking about how to get year-round access to fresh produce since her days shopping at the local farmers market. According to a Block Club Chicago interview, Meyer said, "It warms my heart to see so many of you here today," and continued with, "The story of a co-op is community support. Without all of you, we would not be doing a ribbon-cutting today."
The cooperative grocer aims to stock a range of goods from local fruits and vegetables to meat and cheese, providing a sustainable and accessible source of nutritious food for the neighborhood. Wild Onion Market will feature a bulk item section, a variety of local vendors' products, and non-perishables via an agreement with National Co-Op Grocers. The market's commitment to local sourcing was a core message during the opening, with more than 30 local vendors onboard to sell their products in the store. The emphasis on locally harvested produce sets the Wild Onion apart and has been central to its development.
Funding the Wild Onion Market was an exercise in community finance, bringing together donations, state funding, and owner investments totaling $2.6 million. The campaign to open the cooperative was boosted by a critical partnership with Devon Bank, which secured a loan to help cover costs. "Many people put many years of their lives into hoping a day like this would come, as this day was never promised," State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, also an owner of the co-op, told attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Beyond the financial aspects, building Wild Onion Market required extensive planning and a decade of dedication. Neighbors' willingness to work toward long-term goals was evident in the efforts leading up to the grand opening. The market operates daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering both memberships to those interested in being part of the cooperative decision-making process and shopping opportunities to the general public. For those keen on joining or looking for more information, Wild Onion’s website provides a resource for prospective member-owners and customers alike.
