Amber Stone helped lead the transition of the Farmington Food Co-op when the longtime natural foods store was put up for sale, helping preserve a business that has served the downtown Farmington community since 1973. A Farmington native, Amber returned to the area in her late 20s and now serves as the co-op’s interim general manager, guiding the big picture work behind a community owned store with nearly 500 members.
When the former owner listed the business for sale, local supporters organized, incorporated as the Farmington Food Co-op, and officially purchased it in April 2026. The goal was clear: to continue the store’s long history of providing locally produced, organic, and natural foods to the community. Keeping that legacy going meant more than maintaining operations. It also meant building a strong foundation for the co-op’s future.
As the group worked through the purchase and organizing process, they turned to Maine SBDC for guidance. Business Advisor Dion helped the co-op team closely review financials and develop a projected budget, a key step as they prepared to move forward with the transition. He also helped the team stay organized and confident as they worked through the many details involved in purchasing and operating the business.
“Dion was a guiding light for us,” Amber said.
That support came at an important moment. Amber described small business ownership as rewarding and demanding, especially while helping steward such a historic business through change. One of the most meaningful parts of the work has been hearing from community members who are excited about what the co-op has accomplished so far and grateful to see the business continue.
The co-op also received important support from CEI and the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance during the process, adding to the network that helped make the transition possible.
Looking ahead, the Farmington Food Co-op team are focused on growth. The business is already feeling the limits of its current location, and the vision is to keep building on the strong community support behind it. The experience has also reinforced the importance of seeking help along the way. “We can’t do this work alone, so it’s crucial that we lean on those that are here to support us.”
For more about Farmington Food Co-op, check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram!