Efforts are brewing in Sooke to keep a popular local coffee shop percolating.

When Bernie Klassen first heard that The Stick in the Mud was closing on April 13, he wasted no time in getting down to business with his regular coffee mates Wendy OB次元官网网址機onnor and Jim Meunier.

B次元官网网址淭he Stick is closing, we need to start a co-op,B次元官网网址� said Klassen, a retired farmer who first got acquainted with OB次元官网网址機onnor and Meunier over coffee at the popular cafe.

Meunier, a retired stone mason, took what The Stick in the Mud means to him personally a step further by sharing that he met his wife, Anita Wood there.

B次元官网网址淚 proposed to her at the Stick,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he owner, David Evans, came to our wedding and brought a salmon.B次元官网网址�

Wendy OB次元官网网址機onnor, a retired musician, said that although the trio of friends knew next to nothing about starting a co-op, they ran with the idea immediately.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to ensure we continue to have this great community hub,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor said.

Meunier said they studied examples of other co-ops and spoke to people involved in a number of successful ones, including The Makehouse Co-op in Victoria, a sewing haven for like-minded folks.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a good example of transitioning from a sole proprietor to a co-op,B次元官网网址� Klassen said. B次元官网网址淚t took them one year, and weB次元官网网址檙e trying to get it done in about three months.B次元官网网址�

OB次元官网网址機onnor said they also reached out to Co-Operatives First, a co-op based in Saskatoon that helps create co-ops in Western Canada.

B次元官网网址淲ith their help, we incorporated to form a co-op,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎ll the paper work is done and we have a legal co-op, Sooke Community Investment Co-op.B次元官网网址�

The three retirees are working to raising $250,000 by the end of July by selling a lifetime membership for 30 shares for $1 each.

Yearly patronage dividends for members will be based on the amount of coffee they buy.

B次元官网网址淭he more coffees you buy, the bigger the dividend,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor said.

Investor shares start at $500, and the aim is to provide a yearly return for investment shares, something just above the rate of inflation, with the goal of paying back everyoneB次元官网网址檚 investment shares within five to eight years.

B次元官网网址淭hat works out to 500 people at $500 investor shares, or 8,338 membership shares at $30 each,B次元官网网址� Meunier noted with a laugh. B次元官网网址淭his is a multi stakeholder effort.B次元官网网址�

Although they face a daunting task, the three have already raised $46,000 strictly by word of mouth from like-minded locals who donB次元官网网址檛 want to lose The Stick.

RELATED: Popular Sooke coffee house nears last brew

Klassen said theyB次元官网网址檝e also started discussions with a bank about financing, if necessary.

B次元官网网址淥ur goal, of course, is to raise the money in the community,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e starting a media blitz to get the word out as well,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor said.

Plans also include keeping the staff of about 15. B次元官网网址淭he staff is a big part of the character of The Stick,B次元官网网址� Meunier said.

B次元官网网址淭he ultimate goal is to transition to a fully worker-owned co-op. B次元官网网址楾hey are amazing.B次元官网网址�

The Stick in the MudB次元官网网址檚 manager and barista, Garrath Morgan, has been there since the beginning.

B次元官网网址淚 Started as a customer when they opened in 2007,B次元官网网址� he said between pours. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been involved with coffee my whole working life. When we heard it was closing, it was heartwarming to see the response. I think itB次元官网网址檚 amazing what Bernie, Jim and Wendy are trying to do. I fully support what the three of them are doing, and I believe all of the staff feel the same way.B次元官网网址�

Evans said while he supports their efforts to create a co-op, he is not going to change the closing date of July 23. He is opening the Roastoreum, a wholesale roasting operation and a small retail outlet for beans at the end of July.

B次元官网网址淚t does make things a little more difficult in terms of my current plans,B次元官网网址� Evans said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l probably become a co-op member. IB次元官网网址檝e been meeting with their steering committee regularly and fully support them, and wish them the best. Sooke deserves a place like this.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲hat David has created here is absolutely amazing,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor concurred.

To make a pledge or for more information email info@sookecoop.ca, or check out www.sookecoop.ca.

There are several co-ops in Sooke, including Frances Gardens Co-operative Housing, Sooke Sailing Co-op, and Sooke Lake Modular Home Co-operative Association.