Karma Coop Toronto

After 40 years is Karma Co-op about to go deadpool?

Karma Co-op, the beloved non-profit organic food cooperative, is in danger of having its doors closed for good. Members of the co-op received an email late last week. The email, which was later circulated on Reddit, spread concern about the shop's imminent demise —unless they increase sales by $21,000 per month.

Talia McGuire is the acting general manager of the Annex shop, and she says the co-op realized it was in serious trouble at the last AGM in October. Since then, Karma has been hosting internal workshops and events to try to get existing members to be more actively engaged. The co-op also held a membership drive in November, but McGuire says it didn't drum up the support needed to create a significant leap in sales. That leap has to happen by June, or the co-op is kaput.

Opening up the model to accommodate non-members would undeniably ramp up sales numbers, but McGuire says making those changes would be more difficult than it sounds.

"Our model is not set up to allow non-members to shop, but we're re-evaluating that and discussing how to eliminate barriers to joining and make that more accessible." In the meantime, they have extended their trial shopping period from a day to a month, and the membership fee is waived for that period. (Membership is $40 per year).

Karma is aiming to attract 100 new members by June, as well. More details can be found on their site.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

People in Ontario obsessing over bread from woman who bakes for a meaningful cause

10 restaurants for New Year's Eve 2025 dinner in Toronto

Toronto restaurant blames long waits and poor ratings on app delivery drivers

Canadian shopper claims Loblaw store is ripping people off on donation bags

Over 184,000 Stanley cups recalled across Canada

Keith Lee ranks Toronto among top 5 food cities

Toronto restaurant from renowned chef announces sudden closure

Toronto restaurant that's been around for 35 years has permanently closed