Important Changes at Lyttleton Stores Cooperative
Dear Lyttleton Stores Co-op members, customers & community,
It is with heavy hearts that the Board and Co-ordinators have advised for the reduction of operating days of our lovely not-for-profit retail shop in the new year due to the financial unviability of the current model.
We will be opening Wednesdays and Saturdays during January, as well as continuing our Thursday delivery service of organic produce boxes and over the phone orders. We will have the coffee machine on and our lovely Haylea, Britt and Jacinta at the counter during this transition.
Sadly, our effort to Reimagine Lyttleton by offering coffee & delicious meals, and sharing our retail space with the wonderful RoseyRavelston Bookshop hasn’t become the key to financial viability that we had hoped for. Unfortunately our sales are only half of what they need to be in order to break even. To avoid unmanageable debt, decisive action is needed. We will hopefully make enough money through sales in January to close the retail business with grace. We encourage you to get involved by shopping with us while possible, continuing to support our local farmers, growers and makers and by volunteering to help us close up shop.
The core goal of Lyttleton Stores Co-op is to grow a resilient community and while we have achieved this in many ways, we envisage the path forward as truly grass roots and voluntary participation, moving away from the capitalist business model. Our plan is to remain a community hub for the amazing network of people to continue making, learning, growing and sharing together. Ideas so far include a voluntary buyers group model for local and organic produce, more free community events and knowledge sharing opportunities. We invite and encourage all members to fully explore exciting new possibilities with us in 2024. This is your co-op to reinvent!
We will be putting out a survey both online and in-store for your input and suggestions. We also encourage you to write Love Letters to Lyttleton with either a memory, a recipe, a few of your favourite things… whatever you would like to share with us about how Lyttleton has been a positive part of your life over the last 8 years!
January open hours:
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Saturdays 9am – 4pm
Wednesdays we will have fresh organic produce available as well as coffee and treats.
Thursdays door will be closed, but we will be doing deliveries of organic produce boxes and “phone order grocery lists” (order by Tuesdays by emailing pantree@lyttltonstores.com.au or texting / calling 0473 838 999)
Saturdays we will be selling Amelia’s delicious sourdough, lunch and cakes, enjoy them in the garden! As well as buying your organic groceries.
So please keep coming in while we are still here within the beautiful heritage brick and mortar home of our store! And please consider our delivered organic produce boxes as an alternative to your weekly grocery shop, if you can’t make it Wednesday or Saturday.
We wish to thank our members, customers, tutors, farmers, makers, volunteers and wonderful staff for your support over the years so far. We have LOVED serving our community and look forward to the next chapter of voluntarily working together.
Love from,
Jacinta, Sid, Aaron, Brett, Francie, Elizabeth & Britt
