By Los Alamos Co-op
We’re writing to you today with transparency and urgency. Our community-owned grocery store is once again facing serious financial strain. While we are not at the point of immediate closure, we want to be honest: without increased support from our members—and renewed leadership from the community—we’ll be at risk.
Last spring, in 2024, when we shared the possibility of closing our doors, the response was powerful. Sales rose and member engagement surged. For the first time in years, we filled all eight seats on our Board of Directors. That groundswell of support gave us the momentum to move forward through summer and fall.
But as time passed, some of that momentum slowed. Sales gradually declined, and today we’re seeing numbers similar to what we faced before our last call for help. Several board members needed to step away, and we have not been able to fill those roles despite committed efforts.
In response to feedback, we implemented several changes aimed at making the store more accessible, connected, and financially stable.
These changes included:
- Opening the store earlier to better serve commuters and early shoppers,
- Expanding our catering program, which has brought in new income and introduced us to new customers,
- Joining the Friday night concert series, where our booth regularly brings in $500–$1,000 per event,
- Refocusing on our deli, which has seen strong growth—with some days topping $2,000 in sales.
We made these changes because we heard you—and because we deeply believe in the mission of this store. But even with this progress, we still face a gap between what we bring in and what it takes to run the store sustainably.
Our governance structure is also at a critical juncture. We are currently down to four board members—one short of the minimum required to make official decisions. Without that fifth person, we are unable to vote on key matters or move forward with essential plans. This limits our ability to act and plan for the future.
As a small, community-owned business operating on very thin margins, we rely heavily on the participation and support of our member-owners. About 80% of our sales come from you. For a store our size, small actions make a big difference. If every member spent just $10–$15 more per week—or made one extra shopping trip per month—it could dramatically improve our financial outlook.
We want to be upfront: if current trends continue, we may need to bring another vote to the membership to determine the store’s future. We are committed to preparing as best we can and communicating early and clearly, so this doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.
This store exists because people like you believe in something different—that a grocery store can be owned by the people it serves. That it can prioritize local farmers, economic transparency, and community over profit. We still believe that’s worth fighting for. And we believe our community does too.
If this store matters to you, now is the time to act. Shop with us. Tell your friends. Spend a little more if you’re able. Consider joining the board. Together, we shape what happens next. Thank you for the support and love!
