BUSINESS PROFILE:
Name: Ti Natural Foods CoOp
Business: Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-operative
Title: General Manager
Years in Business: 1
Q: How Would You Briefly Describe Your Business?
A. A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. . In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Q: What is your product or service specialty?
A. We offer products and produce that are LOCAL, fresh, healthy, and sustainable! We are open all year round and get top quality produce at reasonable prices in the winter months in addition to our LOCA
Q: How did your business get started?
A. The Co-op started when PRIDE of Ticonderoga was given a grant for a feasibility study that used to hire a company to see if a co-op could be successful in Ticonderoga. There was a great need for fresh, healthy food all year round. For the first few years there was a board of the three people that with the help of various committees did the research and membership drive that lead to us being able to open our doors. Our membership decided in the early of 2015 to take a chance and open with less capital then was suggested. We were able to do this with amazing generosity and donations from PRIDE of Ticonderoga, various local businesses, the community, and our members!
Q: Why do you recommend people do business with you?
A. We are a a true hometown grocery store. We great you with a smile, help you shop if you want us too, and know your name if you are a regular. Our goal is to be able to invest back in the community that helped make us successful, through education and eventually donations when we are able.
Q: What makes you the most proud of your business?
A. I am very proud of the number of local products we carry and how much of our money we are able to spend locally, keeping it in our community! I am also proud that our products are sustainable – ensuring they are healthy for us and the earth!
Q: What do you most want people to know about you?
That while I’m not originally from Ticonderoga, I understand the importance of supporting your community. Without shoppers, volunteers, and community support you cannot have a vibrant lively town. I feel blessed to have been able to give my time to a cause I truly believe in and grow this community.
Q: What is your key to success?
A. I think that customer service is the key to success in any business. When you truly care about your customers they will support your business.
Complete the following sentence: A really great day for our company is when…
A. “…I get to see a lot of our regular customers mixed in with some new faces. It’s great to see peoples faces when they first come in and are hit by the scent of our bulk herbs or fresh roasted coffee. I truly love to discuss the benefits of our products to your health and to the planet, as well as talk about what makes each local product special! A perfect day here is full of customers, members, talk of fresh food, fair trade, sustainability, and one of new LOCAL products!”
Visit the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-operative food and grocery business in Ticonderoga, and read about more about local business owners in our TACC Member Spotlight articles!