Our Timeline
TL;DR: We’re now one of the largest food co-ops in the country, born out of the idea that “profit for the few” is boring and “maple syrup for the many” is a much better business model.
1936: 17 neighbors in Hanover, NH, and Norwich, VT, pool their resources to form the Hanover Consumers Club. They order things like maple syrup and cases of citrus.
1937: The Hanover Co-op is a thing—a sticky, delicious uprising that proves you can fight the Man with quality syrup and a really good grapefruit.
1940s–1950s: The little co-op graduates from a basement to a storefront downtown. We introduce the area’s first self-service grocery model, trusting people to pick their own onions without professional supervision.
1963: The Hanover Co-op moves to its current location on Park Street. The charm of the little storefront is exchanged for better parking.
1980s: We figure that if we can source kale, we can fix a radiator. Our auto service center is born. Members can now get an oil change and organic tomatoes from the same business.
1997–2000s: Growth spurt! We add two more food stores, a community market, and another auto service center. (The brave little market eventually closes from a lack of foot traffic. *sniff*)
Today: 33,000+ members, 400+ local vendors, 3 food stores, 2 auto service centers, nearly $100M in yearly sales. (A staggering amount of local produce and granola if you stop to think about it.)