Co-op Coffee Shop start-up fund
A$11,476
of $8,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 21st Dec 2013 at 12:00PM.
Democracy at Work! The Co-op Coffee Shop will be run by the workers for the workers. We’ll pay ourselves a fair wage and create a safe and nourishing work environment, so trade is really fair. Your coffee will be prepared by a craftsperson; your service will be provided by a co-op member...Fair trade, fair work, from plantation to cup!
View our 7 Co-operative Principles on our blog.
We will create a ‘third space’: a place where people come to meet, relax, share ideas and socialise outside of the home and workplace. Adelaide cries out for a space where local community groups and progressive groups in general can organise and hold events, and as well as this, the space will be accessible to the general public - especially you! Your contributions will allow you to join us in creating this concept for all.
Like our Facebook page to hear about our project and stay in touch with us
View our 7 Co-operative Principles on our blog.
We will create a ‘third space’: a place where people come to meet, relax, share ideas and socialise outside of the home and workplace. Adelaide cries out for a space where local community groups and progressive groups in general can organise and hold events, and as well as this, the space will be accessible to the general public - especially you! Your contributions will allow you to join us in creating this concept for all.
Like our Facebook page to hear about our project and stay in touch with us
Our goal
The Co-op Coffee Shop will be many things including a café, bookshop, art gallery and meeting place. It will also provide a model to help others start their own autonomous co-op. For instance, we are willing to share our resources, knowledge and experience with those who want to start a co-operative business of their own, regardless of the type of business.
Creating a profitable co-operative business will serve as a working example of what is possible for our city and local community. We hope this will lead to others developing similar work models that are healthy and satisfying for everyone involved. An alternative to current business structures does exist. Our café will be an effective model for those who care deeply about social justice.
Creating a profitable co-operative business will serve as a working example of what is possible for our city and local community. We hope this will lead to others developing similar work models that are healthy and satisfying for everyone involved. An alternative to current business structures does exist. Our café will be an effective model for those who care deeply about social justice.
Our values
We plan to provide:
- Quality coffee that is sourced from the Asia-Pacific region;
- Vegetarian food, made with organic, free range, and local ingredients as much as possible; and
- All our ingredients will be rated for their holistic ethical standards.
- Quality coffee that is sourced from the Asia-Pacific region;
- Vegetarian food, made with organic, free range, and local ingredients as much as possible; and
- All our ingredients will be rated for their holistic ethical standards.
Who?
We are establishing a co-operative to run the café. Our group currently comprises a diverse range of people with skills including making coffee, cooking, running a small business, graphic design and community organising.
Watch our video to find out more about us!
Our Worker-Owners:
Nikki:
I am a mom and activist passionate about attachment/natural parenting, my Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, creating peace, caring for the environment, and thinking outside "mainstream" paradigms. I also have my BS in Sociology and am working on a Masters in Teaching.
Peta:
I believe many of our current systems in society are broken and that my role in changing that is to create positive alternatives- like the coop cafe!
Ian:
Ian's passions are good food and drinks, music, and building respectful and inclusive communities.
Sam:
An American with degrees in business, sociology and education with extensive food/hospitality experience (e.g. worked at Disney World). He's dedicated to economic & social change sparked from experiencing poverty early on in life and viewing it, briefly yet starkly, while volunteering at a children’s home in Nepal.
Scott:
I just completed a Bachelor of Development Studies and am now studying horticulture with hopes of working with struggling communities to create sustainable food forests. I'm passionate about ethics, food, nature, co-operation, education and all of those things mixed together.
Cristel:
I am passionate about community, education, music and our environment. I have just completed a Bachelor of Education and am keen to be involved in creating alternative systems that foster compassion and respect for the world around us and those who live in it. I also have a bunch of tricky dietary requirements, so delicious, healthy, local food that I can eat is also really important to me!
Irene:
Loves food and coffee probably more than is strictly necessary, and so tries to make both as ethical and sustainable as possible.
Michael:
I'm a environmentalist, activist, student and coffee drinker that is passionate about building change within the community. I have spent many years working in retail and am looking forward to building a workplace that can offer empowerment to it's workers and also provide a space for like minded people to meet and organise.
Gavin | Jodie
Co-op Babies:
Lawson & Sohobi
Watch our video to find out more about us!
Our Worker-Owners:
Nikki:
I am a mom and activist passionate about attachment/natural parenting, my Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, creating peace, caring for the environment, and thinking outside "mainstream" paradigms. I also have my BS in Sociology and am working on a Masters in Teaching.
Peta:
I believe many of our current systems in society are broken and that my role in changing that is to create positive alternatives- like the coop cafe!
Ian:
Ian's passions are good food and drinks, music, and building respectful and inclusive communities.
Sam:
An American with degrees in business, sociology and education with extensive food/hospitality experience (e.g. worked at Disney World). He's dedicated to economic & social change sparked from experiencing poverty early on in life and viewing it, briefly yet starkly, while volunteering at a children’s home in Nepal.
Scott:
I just completed a Bachelor of Development Studies and am now studying horticulture with hopes of working with struggling communities to create sustainable food forests. I'm passionate about ethics, food, nature, co-operation, education and all of those things mixed together.
Cristel:
I am passionate about community, education, music and our environment. I have just completed a Bachelor of Education and am keen to be involved in creating alternative systems that foster compassion and respect for the world around us and those who live in it. I also have a bunch of tricky dietary requirements, so delicious, healthy, local food that I can eat is also really important to me!
Irene:
Loves food and coffee probably more than is strictly necessary, and so tries to make both as ethical and sustainable as possible.
Michael:
I'm a environmentalist, activist, student and coffee drinker that is passionate about building change within the community. I have spent many years working in retail and am looking forward to building a workplace that can offer empowerment to it's workers and also provide a space for like minded people to meet and organise.
Gavin | Jodie
Co-op Babies:
Lawson & Sohobi
Community Membership
Community membership is available to be purchased by customers who want to share in the co-operative experience of the cafe. As a community member you will be offered discounts, benefits and access to other exclusive offers.
When?
Once we’ve achieved our funding goal, we are aiming to move into a space in the city centre and open in the end of 2013/beginning of 2014.
How The Funds Will Be Used
We will use the funding to fit out the cafe, set up plumbing and purchase coffee-related essentials. If you would like to support our co-operative, there is a range of ways to do so. Most options are designed to give you a greater financial return than your pledge. For those who live in other areas but still want to support us, there is an option to pledge $10 as a solidarity grant. You can do this more than once! :)
With additional funding, we will:
- Host fairly-paid events for local artists and musicians
- Create resources to assist new co-op ventures
- Build up our book library
With additional funding, we will:
- Host fairly-paid events for local artists and musicians
- Create resources to assist new co-op ventures
- Build up our book library
The Challenges
Like any business venture, we have the usual risks associated. We could find that there are not enough customers, that it is hard to make a profit in the location we choose. However as a co-op which taps into a large base of community support, we are able to draw upon a large, regular customer base. Our co-op is not for profit, which means that the usual incentive to extract profit for the benefit of an owner is removed. We will pay ourselves a set wage, and pool our profits into the co-op entity. This will provide a large 'buffer' of money to support the business if times become tough. Co-ops are inherently more stable than traditional business models.
Many years ago in Naples, Italy, a tradition was born... Espresso Sospeso Translating as 'SUSPENDED COFFEE', the idea is simple. You pre-purchase a coffee or food. This is then a 'suspended coffee'. Someone in need can then go in and ask if there are any suspended coffees. They are then provided with warmth and nourishment at no cost to themselves. Paying it forward, one coffee at a time.
55 chosen / 45 available
Est. delivery is Jan 14
biscuit and coffee or beverage
10 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 14
Solidarity Support Grant This is a good option if you are overseas/interstate and are not able come into the cafe. Recieve a feeling of welbeing + name on a plaque in the cafe
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 14
3 coffees and a cake + name on a plaque in the cafe
30 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 14
8 coffees + name on a plaque in the cafe
36 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 14
15 coffees + year community membership + name on a plaque in the cafe
34 chosen
Est. delivery is Jan 14
Ever wanted to learn how to make coffee? Well with this reward you can! A 1.5 hour barista training covering the basics of making coffee with an espresso machine! Also get your name on a plaque in the cafe!
0 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
30 coffees + year community membership + keep cup (posted to you or picked up from us) + name on a plaque in the cafe
24 chosen / 6 available
Est. delivery is Jan 14
50 coffees + year community membership + keep cup (posted to you or picked up from us) + name on a plaque in the cafe
3 chosen / 7 available
Est. delivery is Jan 14
65 coffees + year community membership + keep cup (posted to you or picked up from us) + name on a plaque in the cafe
4 chosen / 6 available
Est. delivery is Jan 14
High tea (cakes and tea/coffee) for you and 5 friends + 65 coffees + year community membership + keep cup + name on a plaque in the cafe
1 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Feb 14
Lunch for you and 10 friends + 65 coffees + year community membership + keep cup + name on a plaque in the cafe
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14