Chicago Market will transform our local food system with the opening of our community-owned grocery store.

Local

Chicago Market creates a dual win for shoppers and farmers: Customers will have easy, convenient access to a broad array of amazing local food, and our local farmers and producers will have a trusted business partner. We’ll not only sell their products, we’ll tell their stories, forging strong and lasting bonds between farmers and customers. Chicago Market will be known for great local products, and with our sales volume and commitment to local, we’ll also be a catalyst that will ignite the vibrant local food elements that are presently emerging all around us.

Sustainable

In daily operations, buildout, and sourcing our food and vendors, Chicago Market is making decisions with an eye towards minimizing environmental impacts. Our store will be a leader in environmental stewardship with recycling, reusing, composting and eliminating food waste as we work towards a zero-waste operation.

Ours

By launching a community-owned grocery store, we’re keeping profits circulating in the local economy. And as a co-op, we decide where and how our profits are invested, living our value of ‘concern for community’. We’ll reinvest in organizations that make our community great for everyone and our needs-based discount program will ensure our store is accessible for every budget. Our staff will largely be hired from, and reflect, our neighborhoods.

But all this only happens if each of us do our part to Build a Better Market and we meet our $3.3 million campaign goal this year. We have a variety of investment and donation options available, so you can participate in a way that’s right for you. Click below to learn more.

Owners residing in IL		accredited investors residing in the US (see qualifications below)

Learn more about Impact Investing in Chicago Market:

Our Co-op will cost over $11 million to build, equip and open (Uses). It’s up to us, the Owners, friends, and supporters of Chicago Market, to raise $3.3 million of that total — and we’re over 25% of the way to our goal now. The remaining amount will be covered by grants, a bank loan, and TIF funding. (Sources)

We are now offering Preferred Shares in Chicago Market as well as the option for making a donation.  

"I spend a lot of money in grocery stores over the course of a year, and I’d like to think of those grocery bills as investments in something I own, especially as that investment goes toward purchasing local and sustainable products sold at Chicago Market."

- Sally Anderson, Owner #369

"I am proud to invest in Chicago Market because I believe that this market will provide many benefits to our community. From local jobs, to local foods, I also see Chicago Market as a local gathering place. It excites me to know that the beautiful Gerber building will be serving our community once more! Join me in investing today and I will see you at the Market very soon!"

- Erik Slagter, Owner #1427

"I’ve belonged to other co-ops and know the benefits one provides to its members, suppliers and the community. So, when Chicago Market was in the infancy of its planning stage, I wanted to join other Owners to make the Co-op a reality. Now that plans have progressed, it was important to up my game and purchase A shares."

- Pam Nosse, Owner #703

Owners residing in IL		accredited investors residing in the US (see qualifications below)

Series B Individual Investor Qualifications (must satisfy one of these):

1. A net worth, or a joint net worth with a spouse, in excess of $1,000,000. Net worth includes equity in personal property and real estate — other than principle residence —
cash, short-term investments, stock (including pensions, 401k,etc.) and securities. Equity in personal property and real estate should be based on the fair market value of such property minus debt secured by such property.
2. Annual gross income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two prior years and expected income of more than $200,000 in the current year.
3. A joint income with spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of the prior two years and expected joint income in excess of $300,000 in the current year.

Series B Business Investor Qualifications (must satisfy one of these):

The person signing on behalf of the entity will represent and warrant as follows with respect to the business entity investor, at least one of the following:
1. It is an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors.
2. It is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000. (This could be non-profit, corporation, or partnership, etc., and just looks at the assets of the entity.)