Tom’s Natural Foods, General Interest Meeting for Conversion to Consumer-Owned Cooperative

[Frank Cetera]

When: Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 5:30pm
Where: Tom’s Natural Foods, 16 College St, Clinton, NY 13323

The current owners of Tom’s Natural Foods in Clinton, NY are inviting customers, local residents, and all interested parties to attend a Consumer Cooperative General Interest Meeting at the store on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 5:30pm. Frank Cetera, an Advanced Certified Senior Business Advisor from the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and a specialist on employee-ownership and cooperatives, will be on hand to present information and answer questions.

If new owners cannot take over management of Tom’s Natural Foods, Andrew Splendorio and Nancy Morelle, Tom’s current owners, face the difficult decision to close Tom’s on May 31st, the eve of its 50th anniversary. Andrew and Nancy are particularly interested in gauging public interest in transitioning Tom’s to a consumer-owned cooperative, a business model with a long history that is working successfully in Syracuse, Little Falls, Sharon Springs and Gloversville. 

Given sufficient public interest and support, they are working with Frank Cetera, SBDC Senior Business Advisor at the Onondaga SBDC and a leading specialist on cooperatives and employee-owned businesses, to develop plans to transition Tom’s to a consumer-owned cooperative. Frank will be on hand at the meeting to explain the organization and
management of a consumer-owned cooperative.

Please turn out next Tuesday, March 29 at 5:30pm to show your support for Clinton’s “oldest grocery store,” and to help it reach its 50th anniversary! And please forward this announcement to friends and associates. Help get the word out!  RSVP at the Facebook event at Facebook: https://fb.me/e/3amck62tY