Imagine…

Imagine the Shaw Store open seven days a week, year round, managed by the Orcas Food Co-op. Imagine the store property owned by a community non-profit organization, self-supporting through the store, the marina, and the parking.

How do we make this happen?

The non-profit — Save the Shaw Store — already freshly exists. This organization has negotiated a letter of agreement with the Masons (the current property owners) and with the Orcas Food Co-op. The agreement establishes the basic terms of the purchase: The Masons will sell the store buildings, warehouse, marina, and (eventually) the cabin property to the east of the store to Save the Shaw Store for a good price; the Orcas Food Co-op will lease the store facilities to continue its operations for the Shaw community; the Masons will help the Co-op get established in the store and will work with them on the ferry.

How did this process get started?

Fresh from their success working with Orcasians to purchase the Olga Store Building — to house the Olga post office and revive the Olga Store — the Orcas Food Co-op became interested in the similar possibilities of the Shaw Store property. The Olga property was purchased through a non-profit — Friends of the Olga Store Building — that came together for fund-raising and community-building around the revitalization and preservation of the historic community space. The Orcas Food Co-op’s commitment to operate a small outpost in the building helped fuel enthusiasm among Orcasians for purchasing the building — and reminded everyone how a well-run local store provides sustenance and a place to connect and catch up with neighbors and feel welcome, as well as being a point of pride for the community (as we all already know with the Shaw Store).

The Orcas Food Co-op’s Board of Directors met in December and, with a unanimous vote, decided that they would like to work with the Shaw community to explore this possibility. Soon after, the Save the Shaw Store non-profit began—along with negotiations with the Masons.

How do we make this all happen?

In the signed letter of intent that lays this all out, the Masons have agreed not to entertain other offers on the store until April 30. By April 30, then, the following has to happen:

• Raising approximately $10,000 in donations to cover the initial due diligence before buying the property. This money will cover inspections, appraisals, research, and initial start-up costs — and so cannot be given back.

• Gathering approximately $1,000,000 in pledges. This money will be used for the downpayment on the property. Those who pledge these monies will need to give this money to the non-profit before final closing on the property — but should the purchase not go through, this money will not be collected.

Should all these pieces come together, Save the Shaw Store will then secure financing to cover the balance remaining after down-payment of the negotiated purchase price.

The Orcas Food Co-op’s offer to assist folks on Shaw fills in a necessary part of a puzzle: If we on Shaw are to keep the store and the landing operating for the Shaw community, we need to know who will run the store. As a successful community-owned cooperative, Orcas Food Co-op has a proven track record, bringing expertise in management together with a deep commitment to community in the islands.

The Masons do want the store to remain a store, and they do want the properties to continue as an asset benefiting the Shaw community. The Masons are generously and carefully working with Save the Shaw Store to give the community this chance to make it all work.