Winter Squash Guide

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Working Dog Cafe’ – What’s in a Name?

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Have you stopped by our Working Dog Cafe’ to enjoy the delicious, creative offerings served up by our Deli Manager, John, and his team?

Did you read about the story behind the name?  It’s posted there.  But, if you missed it….

The Working Dog Café is named in memory of Jeanne Carlson who was Co-op Chair from January 2013 – July 2014. Jeanne and her husband, Colton Seale, moved to Lovettsville from Alaska in 2009. She was fresh off a 10-year Alaskan adventure where she ran a successful environmental non-profit and played a central role on the Board of the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association. She was looking for a fresh way to invest her civic energy and soon came across a notice for a Lovettsville Cooperative Market meeting being held in the barn at Pamela and Malcolm Baldwin’s Weatherlea Farm. She attended, loved the people, as she would come to truly love Lovettsville, and was immediately fully invested!

In addition to her volunteer role as Chair of the Co-op, she explored the worlds of wine and coffee. She was planning to design and open a coffee shop on a nearby lot here in Lovetttsville and wanted to name it “The Working Dog Café” in honor of her mushing dogs and, actually, all working dogs.

In Alaska, Jeanne trained Iditarod teams and devoted her life to those working dogs. In Lovettsville, she and her husband found a robust farming community, reliant on working dogs, mixed with a commuter community. So, “Working Dog” seemed the perfect name for a coffee shop in the heart of a vibrant rural-commuter community where working dogs are often an integral part of a farmer’s family.

Jeanne’s dreams for the coffee shop and her work with the Co-op ended very prematurely. She passed away shortly after being diagnosed with colon cancer at age 47 in July 2014. The Board voted unanimously to name the Co-op café in her memory and to those working dogs she loved so much.

We hope this bit of background will help you appreciate the name, the link to our community and tribute to an amazing woman.

END OF SUMMER TOP 10: Our behind-the-scenes updates from Lovettsville Co-op Market!

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PROGRESS is the word that defines our summer at Lovettsville Co-op Market and we’re here to spill the beans (and grains, and snacks, and…) about all the awesome things happening in our store. Our Leadership Team and Board of Directors have been going full throttle to make sure our store exceeds your expectations when we open our doors. So, here’s a sneak peek of what’s been going on behind closed doors in our END-OF-SUMMER TOP 10!

    1. DIAL US IN | We’ve got a brand new phone system and the internet fairy has blessed us with connectivity! Stay tuned for our official phone number, and when you visit, you’ll have complimentary Wi-Fi inside and right outside the store.

      Grab a seat at our lovely outdoor tables, sip your coffee, eat your made-to-order sandwiches from our café, slurp soup from the Hot Bar, and soak in that sweet Virginia fall weather.
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    2. SHELF LOVE | Shelves and bins are in! Aisle shelving, bakery cases, Hot Bar, Cheese Island (dreams really do come true), office desks are stained (thanks to our President of the Board, John DeSaix), and not just a few, but over 75 bulk bins + more than 80 bulk spice containers have been installed! It’s like a symphony of storage solutions, and we can’t wait to fill them up with all the amazing products we’ve sourced over the past year.


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    3. BUTTER UP (and wake, up) BUTTERCUP | Freshly Ground Almond Butter, Peanut Butter, and Coffee! We’re all about freshness and healthiness. Our grinding stations are your ticket to taste bud paradise. Freshly ground means better flavor, heavenly aromas, NO artificial flavors, and NO added oil, sugar, or salt to some of your favorite treats. The machines are standing by, waiting for you to grind away!


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    4. SIGN LANGUAGE | Our interior signs are up and ready to direct you as soon as you enter the store! Our café and department signs were fabricated locally and are now installed for your ease and convenience navigating the store.

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    5. MEMBERSHIP GROWS | Our membership has blossomed to a whopping 1170 this summer, and it’s still climbing! We’re over the moon about the support, and we can’t thank you enough for joining us in this adventure as an Owner-Member. You’ve become vital to our mission of supporting our vibrant community.

      If you would like more information on joining our 1170+ Members, please visit our Membership page.

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    6. FARMERS + NEIGHBORS PALE ALE LAUNCH | We officially popped the metaphorical champagne in the form of a beer tap at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery with a glass of our collaboration pale ale, FARMERS + NEIGHBORS!

      We had an inaugural tap tasting at their brewery to celebrate, and it was a good time had by all. We were joined by members of our Board, Members-Owners, and, of course, Bonnie + John of Wheatland Spring for a group cheer with our delicious cold pale ale in hand. You can read more about the launch in July of FARMERS+NEIGHBORS here.

      Currently, you can grab it on tap at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery or in cans-to-go. Once we open, you’ll find it right here in our store!


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    7. LENDING A HAND IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN | We’ve been busy bees at the Lovettsville Community Garden at Quarter Branch Park, and now there’s a lending library, thanks to our local and very active, Girl Scout Troop 70074. It was a battle of Virginia Red Clay vs. Troop 70074, and guess what? TROOP 70074 WON!

      The Lovettsville Community Garden Lending Library is stocked full of books about horticulture, agriculture, farming, and all things green. If you have books to share or are interested in a garden plot of your own, shoot us an email.

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    8. HELP WANTED | Our hiring extravaganza is in full swing, and we have had a great response so far. If you or someone you know is on the hunt for PT or FT work, check out our CAREERS page for current openings and job descriptions.


    9. CO-OPtoberfest | JOIN US at Lovettsville Oktoberfest festivities on Saturday, September 23 starting at 10 AM! Our Front of House Manager, Jill Evans-Kavaldjian, came up with the incredibly genius name, CO-OPtoberfest and WE LOVE IT!

      STOP BY our parking lot starting at 10 AM to visit with Lovettsville Co-op Leadership and our Board of Directors. We will have food trucks in our lot, a lounge area, and sweepstakes for a $200 gift card*. We will also have CO-OPtoberfest glasses, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for more details about how you can get one on Saturday!

      *No purchase is necessary to enter to win a $200 Lovettsville Co-op Market Gift Card. Must be 18+ to enter.

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    10. BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS | Hold onto your shopping carts, folks! We’ve got some big news coming your way. Stay glued to our store updates, sign up for our email newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first in the know.

So, there you have it, our END OF SUMMER TOP 10 at Lovettsville Co-op Market. We hope you’re as excited as we are to fling open those doors and invite you in to experience our beautiful, new, and fully-stocked store. See you soon!

 

 

HIRING EVENT | Deli Department Job Fair

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We are currently hiring for several openings in our Deli Department! You can view the full descriptions for each job on our CAREER page. OPEN POSITIONS INCLUDE Lead Cook (FT), Deli Cooks (FT + PT), and Deli Clerks (FT + PT).

Our Deli Manager, Noah, will be on-site and interviewing on the spot. Make sure you come prepared with your resume and government-issued ID. He will be available to answer questions and speak with you about the available positions. Job fair event details are below:

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DELI JOB FAIR

Saturday, September 16

11 -2

LOVETTSVILLE CO-OP MARKET

11 Town Center Drive, Suite 150, Lovettsville, VA 20180

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If you CAN’T make it to our Job Fair this Saturday, make sure you apply on our Career page OR you can send your resume directly to deli@lovettsvillemarket.coop with the open position you are applying for in the subject line.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

LAUNCH NEWS | FARMERS + NEIGHBORS Pale Ale LAUNCHES @ Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery

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Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery X Lovettsville Market

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We are excited to announce the launch of our collaboration with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery in their FARMERS + NEIGHBORS program to create an incredible Pale Ale made from 100% Virginia Grain and Wheatland Spring Water!

AVAILABLE NOW | Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery X Lovettsville Market 100% Virginia Pale Ale.

Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery announced that our very own FARMERS + NEIGHBORS Pale Ale is now available for sale in cans to go at the Brewery! Stop by the Brewery this weekend to be one of the first to taste our 100% Virginia Pale Ale AND stay tuned for details about our tasting event that will be held at the Brewery in August.


We are so proud of this collaboration and excited to have Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery as our partner in creating this one-of-a-kind beer for the opening of Lovettsville Market!

FARMERS + NEIGHBORS
Pale Ale, 6%
Wheatland Spring Water
100% Virginia grain
All U.S. Hops
A collaboration with Lovettsville Market Co-op.

(originally posted by Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery)
FARMERS + NEIGHBORS | Farmers were neighbors. If not next door, it was at least more common that people knew where their food and drink came from. We’re grateful this is still true in parts of our county, Loudoun.

Over the years, many areas across the country swapped these close connections for far-flung supply chains. But endless abundance and lower prices come with a high cost. We’ve all lost part of our shared regional tapestry that comes from the fabric of local food and drink.

Here’s the good news: innovative farmers are advancing small-scale, regenerative agriculture and there’s a groundswell of support for these local farms. The last piece of the puzzle is building a bridge between their produce and people.

Empowering small farms to make this connection, our friends eight minutes up the road at the Lovettsville Cooperative created a market that champions farmers in our growing region. Because the mission resonated with us so clearly, we reached out to make this beer together for our community. Collectively, we’re working to secure a future where it’s commonplace that farmers are neighbors once again.

Local farms make local beer possible.

Want to be one of the first to have a taste? Available at Wheatland Spring NOW in cans to-go!
Releasing on draft next week – keep an eye out for the day and time and join us for a cheers with the Lovettsville Cooperative Market team who joined us for the brew day of this beer some weeks ago.
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FOLLOW us on Instagram and Facebook for details about the TASTING EVENT at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery!
Also, make sure to follow Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their incredible farm, events, and new product launches!

Join Us in Piecing Together Lovettsville Market’s Grand Opening Puzzle!

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This is a riddle of epic proportions that has been tough to solve, but fear not! We are on the cusp of cracking this complex conundrum known as Opening Day. 

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As we get closer to FINALLY solving this puzzle, our dedicated crew diligently works behind the scenes, piecing together the final touches of our Lovettsville Market Co-op. We’re thrilled to embark on this journey toward our Opening Day. The construction crew is busy fine-tuning the interior finishes, while our unstoppable Lovettsville Market Co-op team showcases unwavering stamina, assembling carts, cleaning floors, and unpacking equipment with the anticipation of unveiling the complete picture.

 

 

In the meantime, we invite YOU – our enthusiastic and supportive community, to be a part of our Opening Day journey as we work to get the final piece of this puzzle in place. We are in the process of implementing a way for you to see our market come together, piece by piece. You will witness Lovettsville Market gradually come to life, evolving into the vibrant heart of our community that we have all been eagerly anticipating. We are so close to opening the doors and welcoming you to Lovettsville’s very own, full-service grocery store! 

 

As we unveil glimpses of the magic unfolding behind closed doors, we will introduce you to members of our dedicated team that have contributed to shaping this dream into reality. Our tireless on-site team, loyal Lovettsville Market Co-op members, and the entire Lovettsville community have played a crucial role in bringing us to this remarkable juncture.  

 

We can’t thank you enough for your continued support and we look forward to meeting you, in person, on Opening Day! 

 

There are several ways for you to stay up to date on the progress of our Lovettsville Market Co-op: FOLLOW US on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates and sneak peeks. Sign up for our email newsletter HERE to ensure you never miss a beat. Have a question or simply want to say, “Hi”? Drop us an email at info@lovettsville-grocery.com.  

Moving Toward the Finish!

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July 31, 2023

Here is what we have completed or in the works to date:

  • Electricity has come to the Co-op!  The lights are on and the HVAC system is up and working.  There is much activity with verifying connections, checking each plug and switch.  Soon the refrigeration equipment will be activated so testing can begin on these items.  If you had the pleasure of visiting the store at one of our events, you know there are lots of freezers and refrigerators to test!  This testing is expected to take about 2 weeks.
  • Water is turned on in the building.  Thanks to the Town of Lovettsville for getting this completed.  Extensive testing is ongoing to be sure there are no leaks.
  • The fire suppression system is installed and being tested.
  • Communication lines, including telephones and internet are all installed and our provider will be turning on service shortly.  This allows the store registers to be tested and loaded for day one transactions.
  • The kitchen has most of the equipment installed, the floor and walls are finished and the hood is installed.
  • Indoor signage is being designed, printed and installed.  This includes our Working Dog Cafe sign over the deli, honoring one of our past Chairs, Jeanne Carlson, who sadly passed away very prematurely due to cancer.  Background information on her life in Alaska mushing dogs prior to moving to Lovettsville will provide context for this special deli name.
  • Sidewalks, parking lot, EV chargers, landscaping and outdoor painting is compete and looks fabulous.
  • Hiring continues, most positions are filled and our new employees are anxious to get started.
  • Discussions with producers is a top priority for store management and we are looking forward to great participation.

COMING SOON

  • The construction fence is scheduled to be removed on Friday, August 4.  This is an exciting milestone!
  • Many inspections will take place in August when the county reopens the process after their system upgrade.  That upgrade is expected to be completed by August 14 according to the county.  We hope to be at the top of the list for inspections.
  • Interviews for a permanent General Manager should conclude in the next few weeks.  We have some great candidates and look forward to making our announcement!

Appreciation Night for Our Member-Investors

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On Wednesday, July 19, from 5:30 to 7:30, we had a wonderful turn out for our Member-Investors Celebration. We so much appreciate all of our Member-Investors who have made our store possible. This was an opportunity to thank them with a special walk-through of the store; sample lots of good food, mainly prepared by our fabulous Deli Manager, Noah and sushi platters which were from our sister co-op, Common Market, in Frederick; and a selection of wines from Walsh Family Wines. Walsh staff, Dawn and Artie, were immediately part of the family. All nine LCM Board members were on hand to mingle, answer questions, view the store progress, and enjoy the evening.

The event also was a chance for everyone to hear updates on final store completion details from our General Manager, Garland McQueen. Eco-Developers Principal, Gary Large, provided updates on our business neighbors in the Town Commons development. As you probably know by now, we are the anchor store and a demonstration project for more sustainable building practices that also will help keep operations costs lower. The overall development is now 80% leased. Gary also shared that we will have an additional delay for opening due to Loudoun County imposing a moratorium on permits until mid-August. Apparently, the County is transitioning to a new data system.

John DeSaix, LCM Chair, thanked our Member-Investors for their financial support, helping to make the Co-op a reality. He announced that we have $1.8 million in Member-Investor loans to date! This surpasses our goal of $1.7 million by opening day. However, we continue to welcome additional member loans and for current Member-Investors to increase their original loans with the potential to get more interest. Additional member loans will reduce the amount we need to borrow from the National Co-op Bank (NCB) that is charging us 9% interest.

Julie Harner, LCM Vice Chair, announced that we are now 1125 members strong. Just within this year, we have increased membership by 250 new members. Every week we are adding to our membership rolls and realize that we may need an entire new wall in the store to add everyone’s name that becomes a member before opening day.

Garland McQueen, our General Manager, and his management team are working diligently to make sure every detail of the store is spot on, all the supplies are delivered and the staff are trained and ready to go. Once the permits are final, we will be ready to open our doors!

Once again, thank you to all our members and especially our member-investors for making this possible. For all of you members-to-be, sign up to join and support your local co-op grocery store today.

If you are a member and want to invest in your co-op, please contact John DeSaix at Campaign@lovettsville-grocery.com to discuss terms and arrange a tour of the store.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE OPEN!

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We are opening our doors very soon! What can you expect to find at your community-owned grocery store?

Supporting local farmers and producers is at the heart of who we are as a Cooperative Market. Our commitment to supporting local will be evidenced when we open with 7,000+ local products and an impressive lineup of 100+ local producers. We will be your full-service grocery store with 10 departments:

Bulk

Buying in bulk is a benefit to your pocket and our environment. It reduces waste, allowing you to buy as much or as little as you need. We offer more than 100 options in our bulk department, including pasta, rice and baking supplies, trail mixes, nuts, seeds and dried fruits, dried herbs and spices, Fair Trade organic coffees, body care items, cleaning supplies, and fresh nut butters.

Produce

Our mission is to offer as much high-quality local produce as possible from our local farmers, who are leaders in sustainable practices. Closing the loop between supplier and end-user benefits our local economy and environment. In addition to our great local farmers, we will have options from regional suppliers who will help us keep consistently stocked on natural, certified organic, and non-GMO produce.

Cheese and Gourmet

You can create an ideal charcuterie board with our cheeses, specialty meats, and olive and antipasto options. We will feature local, domestic, and international cheeses and specialty meats.

Fish/Meat/Poultry

It features local and domestic farmers who produce meat and poultry that is humanely and sustainably raised without growth hormones and antibiotics. Seafood options are sourced from fisheries that work environmentally and sustainably for the health of the species and habitat. You can stock up on fresh meat, poultry, and fish products that boast certifications such as Organic, Non-GMO, Grass Fed, Grass Finished, and Fishery sustainability certified (ASC, MSC, and BAP certifications).

Grocery

Fill your pantry with high-quality everyday essentials offered at competitive prices! This department offers local and nationally recognized natural food brands on items such as beans, cereals, pasta, beverages, cooking oils, honey, sweeteners, cleaning supplies, and packaged coffee.

Deli

Local and fresh options here! Ingredients are high-quality and sourced locally whenever possible. You will find made-to-order and grab-n-go sandwich options, daily hot bar options, smoothies, juices, and hot and cold coffee options.

Dairy/Refrigerated

Dairy milk and milk alternatives, juices, yogurts, eggs, and much more! The Co-op believes in sourcing local products whenever possible and offering competitive prices on your favorite natural and organic brands.

Frozen Foods

A wide range of convenient and high-quality frozen food products, such as organic and natural pizzas, entrées, and sides; local ice cream and non-dairy frozen alternatives; organic veggies and potatoes, will be stocked.

Wellness

This department has a variety of supplements, body care, and gift items. Some examples include essential oils, immune support, toothpaste and deodorants, seasonal holiday gifts, candles and incense, and organic tinctures.

Wine and Beer

The spirit of this department is truly local! We offer a variety of beer and wine products with an emphasis on supporting our local wineries and breweries. We also will offer a variety of beer and wines from across the country, emphasizing small-scale brew and wine operations. Is alcohol not your thing? No worries, your Co-op also has tasty non-alcoholic beverage offerings!

General Manager, Garland; Operations Manager, Killian; and Deli Manager, Noah, are working 24/7 handling the myriad details required for our Grand Opening that will be announced as soon as possible.

And, remember, membership is NOT required to shop. Members do get special benefits, though. See what that means today! SIGN ME UP!

Mayfest in Lovettsville

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Wow, this year zoomed by!  Once again, we participated as a sponsor of Mayfest, staffing a table to chat with our neighbors, provide updates on our store opening, and sign up new members.  We spoke with many very happy member-owners and future member-owners about the opening our full service grocery store. Snacks, water and juices were provided for everyone. Our biggest draw was the temporary tattoos applied by our own board member Petrina. General manager, Garland McQueen, stopped by to talk with friends and neighbors.  Enthusiasm for the store is high to say the least!!

We have definitely soared well past our opening day goal of 1,000 members.  We are now at 1,061 members (June 1)….Feeling left out?  Joining is easy and a one-time fee of $200–yes, member forever!  Check it out here.