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Bulk:

 

• Investing in the teaching of how and why to choose bulk 

• Bringing back the “jar basket” for those who choose to utilize this alternative offering

       (many have jars to contribute and many forget theirs at home….) 

• Peanut butter & almond butter 

      (consider purchasing a previously used grinder online for our shoppers to utilize) 

• Bring back the refill/restore soap station 

•  Revive our bulk to match what our website proudly boasts as 450 available bulk items 

 

Produce: 

 

• Compostable bag options offered rather than only plastic and then segway out of plastic altogether 

• Take and Make dinner meal kits 

• Bringing back more local farmers/encourage winter farming (Fall seedlings sale and earlier Spring sale? It doesn’t have to be huge, our previous produce manager brought in several dozen sprouts this Spring to encourage children to plant sunflowers. Something as small as this underlines our values.)

• Consider an outdoor market one day a week such as a “farmers market” vibe

       (Bringing “farmers of America” or a 4-H group in to manage as such efforts continues education. Could we strategize          with the Zephyr Theatre to utilize their parking lot?)

• Involvement with the community via garden plots that are maintained by RM and enjoyed by all (also a teaching moment could be intertwined here) 

• Working at whatever level necessary to be able to offer "cut your own" microgreens (for those who choose) or even setting up a demo area to again support learning and growing within our community 

 

Grocery: 

 

• Rewind back to the previous aisle names such as Myrtle, Mulberry, etc. 

• Challenging ourselves to stock shelves with new and upcoming items on a consistent basis 

• Thoughtful Seasonal End Caps ie: smores and ice cream cones 

• More local, local, local 

       Enjoying a mutually beneficial relationship with the large and growing number of local makers in our area

• Well Rooted Teas where every batch is crafted with plants from local farms in MN & WI

• Local Pasta Makers 

• Meadowlands Chocolate/ Hot Cocoa Mix 

• Tortilla Chips (many to choose from beyond standard Whole Grain Milling) 

• Apple Sauces from local orchards 

• ETC. ETC. ETC.

 

Deli: 

 

• Featured sandwiches rotating monthly (herbivore/omnivore)

• An increased highlight of seasonal ingredients 

• Consideration of food location and cleanliness so those who do not eat meat/dairy products (or have allergies) do not have to have said foods directly next to the veggies etc. 

• Offering more organic foods that match and support the mission of our store as a whole

• Begin a Sour Dough Starter and make several offerings in form of baguettes, boules (oh my!) daily as a treat to those who happen to get one of the 10 loaves made or something along that FUN side of ourselves. 

• Specialize in unique GingerAle & Kombucha on tap. Rotating flavors seasonally. Peach, Raspberry, etc. Also, local breweries are now offering Root Beer. Growler refills. Refill punch cards. 

 

General: 

 

• Generator

• Sample Day or Hour

• Diversify our suppliers in ALL DEPARTMENTS 

• Promotion of local producers of the product along with a blurb of their stories 

• A staff that supports and recognizes the River Market vision 

• Bathroom

• Maintaining the warmth of the store and the uniqueness 

• Firewood and small selection outside on the riverside portion of store offering grilling and other common good-natured supplies 

• Mimicking Linden Hills previous location they had a "home goods and supply" shop. This could be across the street of the market in the building we offer classes at and also houses our management staff. Working with the landlord in utilizing the majority of the building 

• Featuring local musicians on our speaker system 

• Supporting National Neighborhood Night out the First Tuesday every month of August via prepared potluck items from the deli that is being promoted and ideas/coupons for supplies  

•  Assisting local suppliers (specifically those in produce) that package in plastic to have the right to sanitize and recycle packaging 

 

Education & Marketing 

 

• Could we partner with the Terra Springs Condo? They have a large restaurant area that has gone unutilized for several years. Perhaps we work together to offer cooking classes etc. (Think Wedge Table)

• Utilizing and supporting focus marketing toward “date nights,” "ladies night out" and other themed/festive outings (prepare and supply offerings for the Zephyr Theater outdoor snack booth? Finger sandwiches from the deli, bulk snacks in little compostable bags, etc.) 

• Advertizing to the many yoga, pilates, acupuncture and meditation studios in our area

• Monthly Bingo Game of sorts for fun extra discounts rather than basic coupons 

• Bikers, Marathoners, Boaters, Walkers, Readers, Nature Lovers, Local Brew Lovers, State Park Lovers, language clubs and MORE

       (seeking out local events happening within our community to draw in these like-minded folks to our market)

• Get involved in the neighborhoods and local Main Street 

       (supporting & sponsoring the clean-up and proper receptacles for containing rubbish, recyclables & compostable                 items. Again, collaborating with the local city officials) 

• Education on composting and utilizing the riverside portion of our property more with compost education and native gardening alongside the lovely "pollination" gardens that were generously donated 

• Similar to Non-Gmo we are taking a positive stance on eliminating Palm Oil from our shelves and education as to why

•  Will be ideal when our co-op sees themselves more in a springboard position via working tandemly with our city council to educate and update with the elimination of styrofoam and plastic straws. 

 

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Anything else you would like to add to this page? Contact us and let us know more ideas on how to support the growth of OUR market in a positive way.