Chester Creek House/ Whole Foods Co-op

I am a journalism student at UMD and I am currently working on a history story regarding the first days of the Whole Foods Co-op. If any of you remember the first days yourself, were somehow involved, or know someone who was involved please let me know. I would love to talk to you to learn more!

24 Comments

TimK

about 12 years ago

Call Builder's Commonwealth and ask for Arno.

baci

about 12 years ago

I lived at Chester Creek House with my family from 1972 - 79 9(ages 6 to 13 for me). Many memories of draft dodgers on their way to Canada, burnt granola experiments, macrame, sand candles in the shape of peace signs and raiding the date bins in the first days of the Co-Op. I have completed the child of hippy recovery program and am willing to talk about it

baci

about 12 years ago

^experiments

kinle005

about 12 years ago

That's so interesting! Can you shoot me a email with your contact info? my email is [email protected] Is there a time that you are free to talk to me tomorrow? Thank you so much for your response!

Claire

about 12 years ago

Baci, are you kidding us?

baci

about 12 years ago

Thanks for the confirmation Tim. Yep, it's true.

Claire

about 12 years ago

Funny the things you learn about people...

emmadogs

about 12 years ago

What was the Chester Creek House (apart from a Hippie Enclave)?

Shane

about 12 years ago

My family had a membership to the co-op back in the late 1970s and early '80s, when it was still over in the small building on Eighth street. I volunteered a couple of Saturday afternoons doing stuff like re-stocking shelves and filling bins.  I don't remember much about the details as I was fairly young.

woody

about 12 years ago

You might might want to talk with Bruce Mork in the Sociology/Anthropology Department at UMD.  He mentioned that he was involved with the Co-op from the mid 1970s into the late '80s. I think he was the manager.  He had meetings at the Chester Creek House.

leefr

about 12 years ago

Baci was there. Arno too. I worked with Baci's father in the early-to-mid-1970s and was a regular visitor to Chester Creek.

adam

about 12 years ago

The local alternative newspaper Wild Currents from that time (early 70s) has advertisements and other info about the Co-op. Check 'em out at the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center. It's in the UMD library. That's that place next to the parking lot.

De man

about 12 years ago

My father worked at the co-op when it was where Boreal Bikes is now. I remember playing with a guy named Alex (whom I reconnected with in high school and he told me my dad gave him cookies) and a girl, can't remember her name (she believed she was Christopher Robin) in the Crow's Nest (a lofted area with sacks of beans and rice). I'd be happy to answer any questions but I doubt I'd be the resource that bacci will be.

kinle005

about 12 years ago

Thank you for all the help guys! It is greatly appreciated and I am finding some really interesting stuff!

moosetracks

about 12 years ago

Many of the professors in the Women's Studies Department at UMD have been involved/lived at the Chester Creek House through the years.  

The Duluth Public Library also has a collection of the Co-op newsletters.

baci

about 12 years ago

Leefr ... just figured it out. Hi! My pops is having his 70th at the end of March. Email me off PDD (cbacigalupo at g mail dot com) and I'll send you an invite.

Jake

about 12 years ago

My mom worked at the Co-op from about '85-'91.  I remember running around there causing trouble.  I told her about this post.  Maybe she'll have some good stories to share.

lojasmo

about 12 years ago

I spent a vast portion of my childhood hanging at the Chester Creek House.  My aunt, Lindy, lived there after her diagnosis of breast cancer.  

My mom, Susan, founded the Whole Foods Co-op (and the warehouse, and Builders) along with Arno Kahn, Kent Schul, and a bunch of other DFHs.

My stepdad did the woodwork of the original sign that hung in front of the original HFCO.  Not sure where that went, but it was a gorgeous bit of woodwork.

I agree that Arno would be a great source of information on this subject.

Patberg

about 12 years ago

My friend Susan Askelin and I scrubbed out the shelves in the basement and took the first run to Mpls for supplies.  It seems to me her small little car was loaded down with sacks of flour,etc.   I wish I could remember more.  Susan is not living anymore so she can't add anything.

baci

about 12 years ago

Wow, this is a CCH reunion thread! Hi guys!

lojasmo

about 12 years ago

Patbeg:  I am Susan's son, Jason.  Howdy!

lojasmo

about 12 years ago

That basement was gross (but intriguing) and I loved how the walk-in cooler smelled.

I always considered the loft to be my personal space (under the desk, IIRC.

Anybody remember the old church off Martin Road (I believe) that served as the first Builders' shop. I loved that place.

kinle005

about 12 years ago

Hey everyone! Thank you for all your help! Here is my article! Enjoy! 

Reliving the memories of Chester Creek House

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