Mifflin Street Co-op

When the last incarnation of the family owned grocery stores that inhabited the space at 32 North Bassett for 100 years, the White Front Grocery, was going to close its doors for business, some residents of Miffland (Mifflin St. and the surrounding area) did not want to see a 7-11 type of store move in and occupy the space.

This groups came together to raise funds and buy equipment and groceries to stock the shelves of what became, in January of 1969, Mifflin St. Community Co-op.

The co-op survived the block party riots of the 70's and the Reagan 80's.

The 90's have not presented an easier set of circumstances.

The co-op struggles to regotiate its way through a number of challenges: a long period of low member involvement and input; the expansion of the natural foods market into national supermarket chain stores (these days, you can buy tofu any old place); and the never-ending trend toward bigger stores. (more...)

(This listing was last updated on Jun 28, 2004)