Urban Roots Member-Ownership Drive: Invest in Your Community Garden Center

Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Center in Buffalo is launching its Member-Ownership Drive. This is a chance to become a lifetime owner of a unique, community-focused business—and help fund critical infrastructure projects.

Why Member-Ownership Matters

Urban Roots is a cooperative: owned by its members, governed democratically, and rooted in the West Side neighborhood. Member-owner investments (lifetime $100 share) fund projects like:

• Irrigation system for the well
• Driveway and forklift for large deliveries
• ADA-compliant entrances
• Building repairs and renovations

Drive Events & Incentive

Saturdays: May 8, 15, 22, 29 — Member-ownership table in the yard, 11 AM–1 PM.
Special offer: Anyone joining during table hours gets 15% off purchases that day (other discounts don't apply).

New Member Perks (Join by June 1)

• A garden center you own!
• Special discounts & workshops
• Urban Roots window decal
• Tote bag, t-shirt, or garden cap

Ongoing Benefits

• Monthly discount offers & pre-order specials
• First notification of events, sales, new arrivals
• Voting rights at annual/special meetings; eligible for board service
• Keeping dollars local in a cooperative economy

A Proud History

• One of the country's youngest garden center co-ops (plant swaps since 2005)
• Second to legally incorporate (2006)
• One of few year-round garden centers in Western NY
• Opened 2007 with 100 members; now 550+ households
• Dug first city well for irrigation (2008)
• Built shade structure & greenhouse (2010)

Join the drive this Saturday. Become an owner of your garden center.