Weavers Way Co-op

Weavers Way Co-op is a member-owned consumers' cooperative with stores open to everyone, based in Northwest Philadelphia. Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood food buying club in a church basement in Philadelphia's West Mt. Airy section, Weavers Way has grown to more than 5,200 member households, with annual sales of nearly $20 million. After moving to its location at 559 Carpenter Lane, Weavers Way expanded, purchasing the adjacent building and consolidating the two buildings. Subsequent expansions included the purchase of other buildings in the neighborhood, which house a pet supply store, health and wellness store and offices. In 2010, Weavers Way underwent a major expansion, adding a second grocery store in Chestnut Hill, at 8424 Germantown Ave., at the former Caruso's grocery store site. Then, in 2013, Weavers Way opened a health and beauty specialty store, also in Chestnut Hill. For several years, Weavers Way also ran a smaller store in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, but that closed in September 2011. The Co-op rents warehouse space in the SHARE food pantry complex in the Nicetown neighborhood. Two farm operations comprise 5.5 acres, one at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown and one on the grounds of Saul Agricultural High School in Roxborough. Weavers Way has participated in such events and organizations as Mt. Airy Day, Mt. Airy ArtJam, Mt. Airy YouthWorks, Mt. Airy Business Association, Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA), Mt. Airy Village Fair, Chestnut Hill's Fall for the Arts Festival and the XPoNential Music Fest.

Weavers Way stores are open to everyone, and membership is not necessary to shop there. Membership is available to anyone; an equity investment of $30 a year, to a maximum of $400 is required, and members may vote in board elections and on Weavers Way matters and run for the board. All members receive special prices on some goods and services, as well as other benefits, like discounts at many area businesses. Although completing work hours was also required of all members in the past, it is now optional. Working members in good standing get a discount on all their purchases.

Weavers Way is active in the community, primarily through its nonprofit arm, Weavers Way Community Programs (WWCP), which administers the Co-op's educational programs. WWCP partners with elementary schools to teach students about farming, health and nutrition, in programs that include tours of the Weavers Way Farms. In addition to programs at Mort Brooks Memorial Farm at Awbury Arboretum and the Henry Got Crops community supported agriculture (CSA) farm at Saul Agricultural High School, WWCP runs the Hope Garden at Stenton Family Manor, a shelter for homeless families in Germantown.

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