Timeline

February 2008
New Location Kick Off Party! We'll be throwing an exciting, member-only party in the empty space that will be the future home of Common Ground Food Co-op. We'll enjoy good food, good music and good company as we take a sneak peek at our co-op's future and imagine how the store will look when completed! The architectural drawings and store design plans will be on display and their will be a table where all interested members can talk to the Relocation Finance Committee and learn about the member loan program.
Our general contractor will begin to line up plumbers, electricians, carpenters and all other assistance that will be needed to make our new storefront all we are dreaming of! The member loan program will be in full swing, moving ever closer to our goal of $250,000 in member loans for the relocation!

March 2008
All-Member Store Planning Meeting - members will be invited to come meet with the
architect and/or store planner for our new location and get a sneak peek at the plans as well as an opportunity to give their ideas and input on how they want their new co-op home to look and feel.
County, city, bank and development funds are secured and the member loan program
draws to a close on March 31st with $250,000 raised!

April 2008
Building time - we take possession of the new co-op location and build out begins.

All financing for the relocation project is secured as of the first of the month.

Recruiting begins for the new managers and staff that will be needed for our expanded co-op.

May 2008
Build out continues.

Our grocery manager, Tricia Six, begins to finalize negotiations with many of our suppliers for free fill products for our new shelves and begins to develop what is called "the opening order" - an amazing, huge first order of product to fill all those new shelves we'll have, selecting the hundreds of new products the co-op will carry. Member input wanted!

June 2008
It's time to get down and dirty! Members are invited to get into the new store space and help with painting, putting together and arranging new fixtures, and packing up the old store for the big move.

(Very end of the month) We're going to do it all in one day, folks--with the help of as many Common Ground members as possible and the staff members from co-ops all around the Midwest who will come to C-U just to help us on what will, arguably, be one of the most exciting days in the co-op's history, we will move all the stock and usable fixtures into our new storefront!

July 2008
Common Ground Food Co-op opens it doors in its first new location in 33 years (I get goose-bumps just typing it!) with over double the space and stock of our original location.

Fall 2008

Common Ground's Grand Opening Celebration!