There’s a lot going on in the month of October, especially for Weaver’s Way Co-op.
The local business is celebrating its 50th anniversary this time of year, plus, October also marks National Co-Op Month, and additionally, Weaver’s is also commemorating the 4th anniversary of its Vendor Diversity Program—which aims to empower local makers and artisans of color. And after a successful 3-year run, this particular program will be expanding into Germantown to serve the BIPOC community there.
“It is amazing to see how much this initiative has grown in the last four years. This initiative reinforces the co-op’s longstanding mission of supporting and celebrating diversity,” said Finance Administrator Candy Hasan—who originally led the program at Weavers Way — in a statement. “Helping local business owners achieve their goals is something we take immense pride in.”
The Initiative was founded in 2019, to become “a beacon of hope for BIPOC and women-owned businesses in the Greater Philadelphia Area.” As a release states, the program offers selected vendors assistance and support to help bring their products to market. Weavers Way Co-op has also provided shelf space at all three existing locations and additional local stores, amplifying the visibility and reach of local businesses.
One of the first vendors to benefit was Alicia Short, who offered baked goods (with over 35 pie variations), and that small business quickly gained recognition as the program’s inaugural vendor.
Since then, Weaver’s Way Co-op’s Vendor Diversity Program has amassed an array or local entrepreneurs in all categories, including Adelie Coffee, Amira’s Vegan Muffins, Hank’s Cinnamon Buns, Mt. Airy Candle Co., Urban Essence Soap, Candles by Vicki, Aaji’s, Alicia’s Cream Cheese Cupcakes & Pumpkin Pies, Càphê Roasters, Luminous Intentions, Reveal Avocado Seed Brew, Sequoya and Jaylin’s Gourmet Foods, and The Pudding Guy Will, among others.
All of the vendors who participate not only get shelf space, but they also get plenty of resources provided and expertise. The brand supports entrepreneurs in areas such as packaging, logistics, production scaling, and operations optimization to achieve commercial-level capacities.
Recently, the Vendor Diversity Program has also handed off its leadership, with Candy Hasan passing the torch to Danielle Sellers Mitchell in a newly dedicated role as the Vendor Diversity Program Coordinator. The program’s focus on health and beauty products tailored to local needs will provide a platform for new and exciting ventures in Germantown going forward.
“I’m really excited to be working with amazing creators like Alaffia so that we can build core health and beauty sets for our diverse communities and specifically source products for people of color so that we offer affordable haircare and skincare to our customers,” said Sellers Mitchell in a statement.
Sellers Mitchell continued: “As a lifelong member of both Weavers Way and the Germantown community myself, it’s important to recognize that so many stores offer a one-size-fits-all model for their beauty products that often further marginalizes under-represented groups. The Vendor Diversity Program at Weavers Way tackles those issues head-on, with the goal of listening to the community and providing what they need.”
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary and looks forward to the future, the co-op remains committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of its operations, the release finishes. Additionally, the co-op continues its practice of serving non-members as customers, removing the barriers of a traditional co-op membership program. For those interested in becoming a vendor at Weavers Way Co-op or learning more about the Vendor Diversity Program, visit weaversway.coop.
