Syracuse Cooperative Market formally opens location at Salt City Market

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Cooperative Market has formally opened its new downtown Syracuse grocery store, its second location.

The store, which sources its products from local farms, is located inside the Salt City Market at 484 S. Salina St. in Syracuse.

The Syracuse Cooperative Market on April 29 held a formal ribbon-cutting celebration with remarks from Market General Manager Jeremy DeChario, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, Allyn Foundation Executive Director Meg O’Connell, and other local dignitaries. The store opened to customers earlier in April.

“We had a soft opening for our new location at the Salt City Market earlier [that month]. We have seen an outpouring of support from the community and we’re adding new members daily,” DeChario said in a release. “We believe this store will have a dramatic impact on the quality of life in downtown Syracuse — for downtown residents and for employees who work here. We want to make sure the entire community knows that everyone is welcome to shop here.”

The grocery store’s first location opened in the Westcott section of Syracuse in 1972. While the co-op is member-owned and supported, it’s a “common misconception” that only members can shop there. The store is open to the public, but membership brings discounts and specials at the store, access to private events, eligibility to participate in committees and run for the board of directors, and patronage dividends. 

“This new location was actually 100-percent financed by our members, through the market’s member loan program. And we are now in our second offering phase of this program,” DeChario said. “Supporting a co-op allows community members to enjoy the benefits of whole, local, and organic foods; build a strong connection to the community; and take pride in directly impacting the local food economy.”

The grocery store is open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering groceries, fresh produce, bulk foods, craft beer, and prepared to-go foods.