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by Erik Hare

Buying local is more than a philosophy, at least if you do it right.  Making it possible for people to buy local is the mission of Mississippi Market Co-op, the latest market to open in the West End.  The mission also includes sustainable agriculture, healthy food, and the member owned and directed co-op philosophy of management.

This store is a replacement for their store at Randolph and Fairview, which had its lease with Saint Paul Academy run out.  The 30-year-old Co-op is happy to have this entirely new store built just for them in a highly visible location.  There’s even space for cooking classes to teach people how to prepare nutritious meals.

Some of the features of Mississippi Market include the ability to buy many products in bulk, using your own bags if you can.  You can get your morning cereal, evening beans and rice, and the products to sanitize your house when you’re done eating without the problems of a bunch of excess packaging.  It’s all part of their programs for sustainable living.  There’s also a unique selection of organic foods which is unmatched anywhere else.

Membership in the co-op is purchased with a one-time fee.  From then on, membership entitles you to various discounts and advance knowledge of events.  You even get a share of the profits sent back to you at the end of the year.  The total sales at the two locations, 1500 W 7th and 622 Selby Ave are about $14 million per year.

The new store hopes to reach out to its new neighbors while retaining the old customers from the old store.  Membership does build a personal connection to Mississippi Market, so hopefully they will be able to achieve this.  For now, it’s time for the West End to welcome a new neighbor who gives us a new commitment to buying local.  Welcome, Mississippi Market!