Co-ops have been part of Philadelphia's fabric for decades, but the city's newest one, South Philly Food Co-op (SPFC), made its own history.
"We're the only co-op [in the country] that opened during the pandemic," says SPFC general manager Lori Burge.
Originally slated to open its doors to shoppers in spring 2020, the store (located just south of the bustling East Passyunk dining and retail corridor) had to pause crucial construction when Governor Wolf's shutdown orders came in mid-March. Fortunately, its supporters were used to taking a long view.