“We are in the process of talks of shutting down,” says Kate, the co-op manager. The board plans to meet again in mid-December to make a final decision. “We are looking for new ideas,” says Kate, “fresh people, people who aren’t burnt out, to take over.”

Volunteer Michelle Boisvert says The Village is suffering from a lack of funds as well as volunteer energy. Rent is always paid, but invoices for goods are being pushed back in order to fit within the budget, says Kate. According to volunteers, The Village recently won a grant of $1,000 and has more grants promised for the spring, but it may not last that long.

The Village emerged out of a pre-existing cooperative purchasing group called Baltimore Families for Natural Living in Baltimore that had over 100 members. The store itself opened on March 23, 2005. The Village has a Web site at www.baltimorevillage.org and people interested in volunteering or participating in the upcoming open board meeting can call 410-235-3255 or stop by the store. The meeting will be held on either December 18 or 19—the date still to be decided.

Kate says people who typically walk to the nearby Safeway have been reluctant to make two stops. In addition, probably not enough people in the neighborhood know about The Village. A majority of people in the commercial core of Charles Village on 31st and 32nd streets and St. Paul likely do not know about the organic food available at The Village between 24th and 25th.

Current co-op manager Kate began transitioning into manager in October this year after recently moving to Baltimore from St. Louis, Missouri. Gretchen, the previous manager and ardent advocate for the store, transitioned out this November and Kate herself is stepping down as the manager on December 20. An already tepid volunteer situation will become colder.

As with any small store, substantial bulk purchasing was not an option and this kept prices high. Also “we don’t have a wide enough inventory to keep people shopping here,” says volunteer Michelle Boisvert. The average purchase was between $5 and $8 dollars, says Friday night behind-the-counter volunteer Diana Krouch.

The Village hosts events, which is a great way to draw people. Every Thursday night The Village has a vegan potluck, says Diana, with a general meeting at 6 p.m. and the potluck at 7.

Some members of the board of directors resigned from the co-op at the last board meeting due to being burnt out, say a number of volunteers. The current board is holding out hope for new leadership to reenergize The Village. If new people do not step up, says Kate, it will close.

Around the co-op, the block is bright though the foot traffic is light. At 6 p.m. a few doors from The Village, the Peace on Earth General store is open. From the store, 1970s soul music pours onto the sidewalk. A barbershop sits next to The Yabba Pot. Three young women talk in The Village and purchase some grains. The rehabilitation of a dilapidated apartment building across the street and adjacent to the Safeway parking lot nears completion. The tan stonework of the facade looks clean, inviting, and tonight the lobby is well lit.