Weavers Way Co-op - Mt. Airy - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

David W.

As a member, I know that Weavers Way is a job creator employing hundreds of staff at four main grocery store locations, a warehouse, two health and beauty/pet store shops, two farms within city limits growing food for a CSA and for sale in our stores, and a mercantile. One store has six apartments over it, another store has four EV charging stations, another is old and cramped (and doesn't have a parking lot) yet each time we expand at another location to ease crowding at the first location, it gets crowded again.

It's economic democracy at work, for each time a sale is made, more of that wealth is kept in our community, paying local employees, paying local vendors, contributing to the local tax base, paying interest to members who've loaned money for our expansions, sharing net profit with members (when there's a profit to share) being a pillar helping to hold up the community.

The mutual needs of our members is met with the goods and services Weavers Way provides and the quality is backed by the co-op. I enjoy being a member and by shopping for my needs at the stores feel the warmth of community but know it can be a little overwhelming for non-members unfamiliar with cooperative enterprises, know that you are welcome to shop here.

Mt, Airy is the quirkiest location and in about 50 years it's grown from a church basement buying club to four bonafide year-round food markets (some with parking lots), 12,000 household members, tens of millions in annual sales, and a reputation for being good at business.

It's a legacy of Jules Timmerman in the 1970s who got people in the neighborhood to buy-in to starting a food buying club that's grown slowly these last 50 years.

Jesse A.

Walked in on President's Day with my ten year old daughter, and an employee by the door was loudly discussing with another employee that there were too many children, they should be in school, learning something, but they won't be learning anything there because of the state of education. I was standing with my basket, trying to shop, while this man kept rudely talking about children in the store and how horrible schools are. All within ear shot of my daughter, and I'm a teacher in Philly schools. I eventually said he was being rude and unwelcoming, and put down my basket to leave. I told a manager about the behavior, and the employee argued with and cut me off the entire time, justifying why it was ok. I'm sorry, are kids not welcomed at Weaver's Way? Is bringing them in to shop on their day off a problem? No children were misbehaving. I'm a paying member who has cancelled my membership, I drive out of my way to shop here and spend my meager teacher salary from my apparently crappy, meaningless job, buying sometimes overpriced items to support a "community grocery store" that, let's face it, is in a rich, majority white community. This is a place for rich white people to pat themselves on the back with their wallet, and as a teacher, my wallet isn't thick enough for that! Anti-children is anti-community. What a privilege to shop here, one I won't be engaging in anymore. If I ever enter another WW, it'll be Germantown, but sadly, after this experience, everyone was pretty pleasant at the Acme within walking distance of my house!

Steven G.

This is co-op in name only. It's a gourmet organic rich people's market. I don't care if they charge dues and give a discount, so does costco and BJ's. Having a few token bulk items on the second floor doesn't make you a co-op moniker. A co-op serves people on a budget. A small budget to be clear to those hippie wanabees shopping in Mt Airy.

Bee F.

The BEST place for local groceries. Good prices and love that they use local businesses!

Sarah M.

Organic, highly quality, locally sourced products, this is a unique venue for grocery shopping. Enjoy a 5% discount if you are a volunteering co-op member. Be aware, other customers are not always friendly, maybe because of the tight confines.

Nick M.

This is a fantastic neighborhood co-op grocery store. Prepare food or high-quality and always fresh, package foods and groceries are top-of-the-line and healthy. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s one of the best.

Stephanie J.

The cashiers are always nice and knowledgeable. They're bulk department is awesome in My Airy only. The little store across the street called Mercantile is beautiful fill with antiques and great gift ideas for local artisans.( It is only open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 4pm) I really love this about all their stores they are truly a great community store.

Lisa G.

Quaint shop. Lots of organic choices. Large variety of meats, cheese, and spices, etc. Reasonably priced. Courteous, helpful staff.