GM Update September 2025
September 11, 2025
And just like that…
The heat of summer in Maine is behind us, and the nights are getting cool. What a summer it was! In my update at the beginning of the season, I encouraged everyone to buckle up for a wild ride, and our first full summer season in the completed store certainly didn’t disappoint. We exceeded all expectations for success, and I am happy to report that your Belfast Community Co-op is thriving as we head into fall.
We broke all records this summer. We achieved our highest sales week ever in August with $370,477 in revenue. In fact, all five of the highest sales weeks in our co-op’s 49-year history occurred this summer. Sales for the summer months were up 33.6% ($1,115,025) over the same period last year.
After a challenging winter with cash flow issues, we are entering our new fiscal year with approximately 25 days of cash on hand, which is a huge accomplishment for our team. This summer, we welcomed over 9,000 shoppers through our doors every week!
We also had our largest Common Cents donation ever, with the Restorative Justice Project Maine receiving $8,276.65 from customer round-ups at the register. (And the month before, Wabanaki Reach broke our highest record with $8,220.50 in customer donations!) 100% of all donations go to each group, every month. Nominations are open for 2026 until Sept 30!
To top it all off, we surpassed 6,000 active BCC owners! Of those 6,000 owners, over 1,300 are fully vested, meaning they have paid their $200 equity in full. If you are looking to make an immediate impact on the fiscal health of your co-op, please consider paying your full equity. Nothing helps the co-op’s bottom line more than additional owner equity!
In short, by all the measures of success, your Belfast Community Co-op is crushing it!
Thank you everyone for making this past summer possible, especially our dedicated workers. These are challenging times for everyone, and I commend you for continuing to believe that what we do matters—that by working together, co-ops can build a more just and equitable world. I also want to thank our dedicated Board of Directors for your leadership during such an exciting time in our co-op’s history. We need passionate individuals willing to hold the vision of the revolutionary outcomes our co-op can achieve.
Speaking of our Board of Directors, have you ever considered serving? If you or someone you know is excited about strengthening the local food economy and helping to meet the needs of their friends and neighbors, we might have a seat at the table for you. If you have the skills and experience that would help this cooperative association grow in size and scope in the years to come and are interested in Board governance, please reach out to bdcomm@belfast.coop and find our how you can get involved today!
See you in the aisles,
-Doug
Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; it is our mission and our pleasure to bring locally-sourced, reasonably priced, organic and natural products to all.
Owned by you. Food for all.
