Our History

Illustrated building with the text "Old North End - Archibald St." and Onion River Food Co-op sign in window.

The First 20 Years: 1971 — 1990

A few like-minded people and families gather to form a buying club. Their goal is to combine their purchasing power to source better food in Vermont. The Onion River Co-op is incorporated as a Member-owned cooperative and moves to 77 Archibald Street in the Old North End of Burlington.

Historical map section showing city blocks, streets, and notable locations labeled. Historical map section showing city blocks, streets, and notable locations labeled. A black-and-white display of various fruits and vegetables with price tags in a store. A black-and-white display of various fruits and vegetables with price tags in a store. White building with red accents, featuring a sign for Onion River Food Coop. White building with red accents, featuring a sign for Onion River Food Coop. Interior of a small grocery store with a fridge, shelves, and signage. Interior of a small grocery store with a fridge, shelves, and signage.
Sketch of a building with "Old North End - North Winooski Ave" labeled above.

A Big Step: 1990 — 1999

The Onion River Co-op moves to a new, larger storefront at 274 North Winooski Avenue. During the move, Co-op Members create a 'human chain,' similar to a bucket brigade, to move small items by hand from the old storefront to the new one. 

Brick building with windows, snowy ground, and a sign for Onion River Food Co-op. Brick building with windows, snowy ground, and a sign for Onion River Food Co-op. A cozy market aisle with bulk bins on one side and shelves of packaged goods on the other. A cozy market aisle with bulk bins on one side and shelves of packaged goods on the other. Mural reading Mural reading "Food for People / Not for Profit" with cars parked outside. Mural depicting people holding protest signs with Mural depicting people holding protest signs with "Eat It, George" near a river with flowers. Person organizing jars of spices on wooden shelves in a storage room. Person organizing jars of spices on wooden shelves in a storage room. Interior of an organic store featuring wine displays and shelves of products. Interior of an organic store featuring wine displays and shelves of products. A person with long hair stands in a store, holding a bag near a shelf of packaged goods. A person with long hair stands in a store, holding a bag near a shelf of packaged goods. A quaint market interior with fruit displays, shelves, and baskets. A quaint market interior with fruit displays, shelves, and baskets. Woman at checkout in a grocery store, shelves stocked with various products in the background. Woman at checkout in a grocery store, shelves stocked with various products in the background. Woman holding a snack in a store aisle with shelves of dried fruits, snacks, and nuts. Woman holding a snack in a store aisle with shelves of dried fruits, snacks, and nuts. Person standing in doorway of a shop surrounded by flowers and greenery. Person standing in doorway of a shop surrounded by flowers and greenery. Smiling woman in a store, surrounded by shelves of food products. Smiling woman in a store, surrounded by shelves of food products.
Illustration of City Market building with text "Downtown - South Winooski Ave."

Another Huge Milestone: 1999 — 2004

Price Chopper in Downtown Burlington closes, leaving Burlington without a Downtown grocery store. The City solicits bids for a new market to be built on the city-owned site of the old police station. Onion River Co-op and Shaw’s put in competing bids. In 2000, Onion River Co-op wins the bid with a City Council vote of 12-2! As a part of this process, the Co-op commits to adopting Supermarket Principles at our new location, offering conventional as well as organic food in order to meet the needs of Burlington’s diverse Downtown community.

In February of 2002, City Market, Onion River Co-op opens at 82 South Winooski Avenue. Some of the local farms that opened with us are still in our stores today, including Pomykala Farm, Diggers' Mirth farm, Champlain Orchards and many more!

The first contract is signed between City Market Management and the newly organized employee union, UE Local 203, setting the stage for over 20 years of productive collective bargaining.

A large empty warehouse with a sign asking for product suggestions for a new store. A large empty warehouse with a sign asking for product suggestions for a new store. Black and white image of a building under construction with a curved roof. Black and white image of a building under construction with a curved roof. Group of people smiling and raising hands outside a co-op market building. Group of people smiling and raising hands outside a co-op market building. City Market building at dusk, featuring brick architecture and illuminated storefronts. City Market building at dusk, featuring brick architecture and illuminated storefronts. Signage for Signage for "City Market" with flowers in foreground and blue sky above. Colorful autumn trees surround urban buildings and streets in a lively town scene. Colorful autumn trees surround urban buildings and streets in a lively town scene. Two smiling men stand outside City Market, one holding a bouquet of flowers. Two smiling men stand outside City Market, one holding a bouquet of flowers.
Illustration of a building with the text "South End - Flynn Ave." on the front.

City Market Today: 2014 — 2023

City Market establishes the Rally for Change and Co-op Seedling Grant programs. These programs establish two ongoing funding paths for City Market and its Members and shoppers to help strengthen our local food system. City Market also offers its first round of Farm Loans, helping four different local vendors bring products to market.

In 2017, City Market’s South End Store opens at 207 Flynn Avenue, allowing the Co-op to serve many South End neighbors and businesses.

City Market celebrates 50 years since it officially incorporated in 1973!

A group of six people in hard hats shovel dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony. A group of six people in hard hats shovel dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony. Modern building of City Market with Modern building of City Market with "Open Today!" sign and colorful murals at dusk. Bright, modern retail space with shelves of groceries and products around a central checkout area. Bright, modern retail space with shelves of groceries and products around a central checkout area. Five people are cheerfully cutting a red ribbon in front of a new storefront. Five people are cheerfully cutting a red ribbon in front of a new storefront. Modern café interior with wooden furniture and large windows, featuring a service counter. Modern café interior with wooden furniture and large windows, featuring a service counter. Person shopping for bulk items in a modern grocery store with a variety of containers. Person shopping for bulk items in a modern grocery store with a variety of containers. People gather outside City O Market on a sunny day, with bikes parked nearby. People gather outside City O Market on a sunny day, with bikes parked nearby. Modern cafeteria with food display, customers ordering, and a snack station. Modern cafeteria with food display, customers ordering, and a snack station.