About Chéticamp Co-op
Here, local isn’t just a trend, it’s why we started.
About Chéticamp Co-op
Owned by members and a pillar of our community since 1937, the Chéticamp Co-op offers its over 2700 members grocery, hardware products, building supplies, funeral services, residential and commercial housing and more.
The original Cheticamp Co-op building and property was bought for four hundred dollars by our founding members, which included neighbours, business owners, and community members that all wanted to see their community thrive.
Fast forward to today, Chéticamp Co-op is owned by over 2700 members and has assets of $9 million dollars. It took a huge commitment from members and staff to grow our business to where it is today. The Co-operative now employs 26 full-time and 28 part-time employees. Over the past 10 years, our Co-operative was able to give back to local and regional members over $6 million dollars in patronage dividends.
Every year, our Co-operative is an active participant in fundraising activities and community initiatives. We are glad to be a vital part of our community volunteer efforts.
What is a Co-operative?
A co-operative is an organization owned by the members who use its services or who are employed there. Its members agree to take on the responsibilities of owning and operating it. People create a co-op to serve the common need rather than the individual need. A co-op is about people and they ensure that members, not money control their co-op.
When you choose to shop at or utilize the various businesses of the Cheticamp Co-op, you’re choosing an organization that keeps 100% of its profits in your community. Our profits help to provide great jobs for members of our community, provide access to necessities, and support local groups and charitable organizations that make our community a better place to live.
The Cheticamp Co-op is not a building – it’s not a food market or a hardware store. The Co-op is a group of people working together to help their neighbours, friends, and build their community, together.
Our Vision
A sustainable, vibrant economy guided by co-operative values and principles.
Our Mission
To provide members, stakeholders and communities retail food, building supplies, hardware and other services, using co-operative values and principles to guide our board and staff to meet member needs.
Our Values
Our values define us as a co-operative and have a direct impact on how we conduct our day-to-day business.
Our co-operative is guided by the following values:
- Self-help
- Self-responsibility
- Democracy
- Equality
- Equity
- Solidarity
In the tradition of their founders, we believe in the following ethical values:
- Honesty
- Openness
- Social responsibility
- Caring for others
Our Principles
Our principles define how we put our values into action.
- Voluntary and Open Membership – All are welcome
- Democratic Member Control – All have an equal say
- Member Economic Participation – Members own the co-operative
- Autonomy and Independence – Members control the co-operative
- Education, Training and Information – Share information and knowledge
- Co-operation Among Co-operatives – Co-operatives work together
- Concern for the Community – Members care