The newly constructed Food Shed Co-op grocery store in Woodstock is set to open on May 15 and will be the first co-op grocery store in McHenry County. | Provided Photo

McHenry County’s first co-op grocery store, a community-owned grocery store, will open next week in Woodstock and feature a wide range of produce from local suppliers.

Food Shed Co-op, 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, which is a community-owned and controlled grocery store, will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The newly constructed store was issued a certificate of occupancy by the City of Woodstock on April 29.

General Manager, Peter Waldmann, and Produce Manager, Kevin Ortega, receive the Food Shed Co-op’s first truckload of product. The Woodstock grocery store is set to open on May 15 and will be the first co-op grocery store in McHenry County. | Provided Photo

The granting of the certificate officially marks the end of the co-op’s building phase and allows staff to focus on finishing final preparations prior to the scheduled opening.

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General Manager of Food Shed Co-op Peter Waldmann said the store will transform over the next week as the shelves begin filling with products.

Goods from local vendors have already begun arriving at the store. Pallets of dry goods will soon be unloaded and set on shelves and perishable goods will arrive shortly after.

“We are excited to introduce and welcome the public to our store and staff; we invite you to join us! Our newly formed operational team is thrilled to begin a new chapter of nourishing our community with quality, local, healthy, and great-tasting food,” Waldmann said.

The store said interest in the ribbon cutting and opening day events has been building due to the culmination of many years of organizing and fundraising efforts to build McHenry County’s first cooperatively owned grocery store.

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The newly constructed Food Shed Co-op grocery store in Woodstock is set to open on May 15 and will be the first co-op grocery store in McHenry County. | Provided Photo

Almost 2,300 residents have shown their support by becoming part owners of the co-op. The grocery store will be open to everyone and not just part owners.

The co-op’s board of directors and management team are anticipating hundreds of visitors on their first day of business.

Woodstock Chamber of Commerce will be present to assist with the early morning multi-chamber event just prior to doors opening to the public for the first time.

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

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 store 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.”

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