Keweenaw Cooperative Inc. in Hancock, Michigan started in 1973 as a pre-order bulk-buying club that operated out of the back room of Funkey’s Karma Cafe—a Houghton restaurant specializing in natural foods. These efforts were in response to the lack of availability of natural and organic foods in the Copper Country at that time. The Co-op grew quickly, outlived the restaurant, and soon moved to a small retail space on Minnesota Avenue in Hancock, where bulk foods continued to be offered, and volunteer labor kept it going. In 1981 the Co-op bought a small building at 1027 Ethel Avenue, but outgrew the space after a few years and purchased a larger building in the same neighborhood. On May 13, 1986, the Co-op opened at the current location, 1035 Ethel Avenue, as a full-line grocery store, featuring a variety of natural and organic groceries, as well as mindfully chosen conventional products, gourmet foods, delicatessen specialties, and an extensive array of quality bulk foods. In September 2007 the Co-op paid the mortgage off and the Co-op now owns the building. In 2010, by vote of the Membership, the Co-op reincorporated as a true cooperative. This change created a true Member-Ownership by requiring Member-Owners to own a share of Co-op Common stock (Membership Stock). By increasing the Member-Owners' economic participation and investment, the Co-op created a stronger and more financially sound business (from "Our History," http://www.keweenaw.coop/history.php, accessed Jan. 2010). The Keweenaw Co-op is the only market in the Western Upper Peninsula offering goods and services that appeal to consumers who have a meaningful sense of environmental and social responsibility and incorporate those values into their buying decisions.