FOWM Goal, Proposal, and Action Plan (Nov 2007)

Friends of Waterfront Market
Goal, Proposal, and Action Plan
(November 2007)

Our goal is to keep Waterfront Market open, as it provides quality grocery, seafood, deli foods and produce to a devoted customer base that includes local residents, restaurant and wholesale customers, boaters, and visitors.

Our proposal is to organize a co-op to purchase and operate Waterfront Market as a not-for-profit grocery market with a focus on community and sustainability. To achieve this, we need to determine the community interest in such a venture in a very short period of time. We will need to develop a business plan, raise money, and work with the City of Key West and Buco Pantelis to ensure a seamless transition in market operations. We propose to continue the same focus on quality products and services, with an emphasis on very fresh and organic products and other services that support the needs of the community. A not-for-profit co-op provides a framework for community involvement in this effort to keep Waterfront Market open.

Our action plan is to rally community support for such a venture, and to raise the substantial funds (estimated at up to $1.5 million) needed to purchase, improve and operate Waterfront Market. These funds will be raised through individual co-op memberships ($100 annual membership fees), business memberships ($15,000 each from 30+ restaurants and wholesale customers), and through contributions and patron loans (repayable from earnings) by major benefactors.

We need your support. Please join us with a coop membership, or join our meetings, as we work to keep Waterfront Market open.

For further information, questions, and contributions, contact us
by email:
waterfrontmarket@gmail.com

by telephone:
Richard Tallmadge/The Restaraunt Store (305) 294-7994

or visit our website:
www.waterfrontmarketkw.com