Food Shed Co-op, located at 2390 Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock, is set to open in May and will be the first co-op grocery store in McHenry County. | Provided Photo

McHenry County’s first co-op grocery store, which will feature a wide range of produce from local suppliers, is set to open in Woodstock in May.

Food Shed Co-op, a community-owned and controlled grocery store located at 2390 Lake Shore Drive off Route 14 in Woodstock, is set to open on May 15.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 9 a.m.

Co-op and community leaders will celebrate the opening day with brief remarks and door-buster deals.

After the opening celebration, the store will remain open until its usual closing time of 8 p.m.

The store will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Our Food Shed Co-op family will celebrate on the opening day,” General Manager of Food Shed Co-op Peter Waldmann said.

“The community organizing started in 2014. The countless efforts over the last decade are humbling and inspiring to all of our associates. Food Shed Co-op staff, board, and business partners are working hard to meet our timelines. I thank them for their efforts,” Waldmann added.

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Food Shed Co-op, located at 2390 Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock, is set to open in May and will be the first co-op grocery store in McHenry County. | Provided Photo

Produce will be the co-op’s signature category.

The co-op will also have a grab-and-go deli, offering items made in-house and juice bar selections made with fresh and local ingredients, the co-op said in a statement.

“Other categories include frozen, dairy, meat, cheese, bakery, bulk, wine, beer, and there will be a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free choices. The store will carry many items in each category sourced from local growers and producers.”

Construction for the 9,000-square-foot building began in July 2023.

Over 2,100 people have purchased equity shares in the co-op since then, the statement said.

Food Shed Co-op Board President Rusty Foszcz said, “These people were the visionaries that started a movement and KNEW it was going to succeed!”

The store will be open to everyone and there are no restrictions on who can enjoy the co-op.

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Those interested in becoming an owner should visit the co-op’s website.