Celebrating 20 Years Downtown!

Join us in celebrating 20 years at our Downtown Store this February! All month long, we’ll be celebrating with giveaways, pop up outdoor events and storytelling! Check out the full list of programming below and join us as we look back on this wild, wonderful journey!

 

20th Anniversary Video

Thank you to everyone who took part in our 20th Anniversary video! Learn more about the role that Onion River Co-op has played in Burlington since its founding in 1973 in this video with long-time Members, partners, and staff. Did you know that Onion River Co-op had multiple storefronts before we moved Downtown? Or that the decision to move to South Winooski was the result of a contested City Council vote? How about the requirements that the City put in place to make sure we met the needs of the community? Learn all about it in this video.

 

 

Events

Join us every Friday in February for free warm beverages and treats from local vendors. We’ll be set up outside of the Downtown store at 10:00am while supplies last. Check out the list below for vendor information!

 

Monday, 2/7*
10:00am

 

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Stewart's Bakery

with

Coffee
from City Market's Prepared Foods Team

*Delayed from Friday, 2/4

Friday, 2/11
10:00am

 

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Krin's Bakery

with

Bone Broth
from City Market's Prepared Foods Team

Friday, 2/18
10:00am

 

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Jones the Boy

with

Hot Cider
from City Market's Prepared Foods Team

Friday, 2/25
10:00am

 

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My Little Cupcake

with

Hot Cocoa
from City Market's Prepared Foods Team

 

History

We may be celebrating 20 years Downtown this February, but Onion River Co-op has a unique and important history in Burlington, Vermont dating back to 1973! Fun fact, we’ll be celebrating 50 years in 2023! Check out the timeline below for some highlights of our (almost) 50 year history!

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1971

Buying club is formed

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1973
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Photo from 1973 of the Onion River Co-op at 77 Archibald Street

Onion River Co-op is incorporated as a cooperative and moves to 77 Archibald Street in the Old North End

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1990
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Photo from 1990 of Onion River Co-op at 274 North Winooski Ave
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Photo from the 1990s of customers at the checkout lines of Onion River Co-op

Onion River Co-op moves to 274 North Winooski Avenue

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1999 to 2000
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Photo of a group of people standing around a table reviewing blueprints

Price Chopper in Downtown Burlington closes, leaving Burlington without a Downtown grocery store. The City solicits bids for a new market to be built on the city-owned site of the old police station. ORC & Shaw’s put in competing bids and in a City Council vote of 12-2, ORC wins the bid with the requirement to adopt Supermarket Principles.

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February 2002
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Photo of staff members celebrating at the new Downtown City Market
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Photo of the exterior of City Market's Downtown location

City Market, Onion River Co-op opens storefront at 82 South Winooski Avenue

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November 2017
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Photo of the exterior of City Market's South End location

City Market, Onion River Co-op opens storefront at 207 Flynn Avenue

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Graphic with the words Celebrating 20 Years Downtown