Jim came to the North Country on purpose and with a purpose after retiring from 21 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enjoys all manner of outdoor activities, travel, a good book, splitting wood, eating fresh local food, cooking and entertaining! His position allows him to fulfill many of his interests while contributing to something bigger than himself. He first came to the Co-op as the Produce Buyer and liked it so much, he decided to stay. If you have any special requests, please don’t hesitate to ask, and we’re always looking for new and tasty items for the store.

It was the love of his life, Hilary Oak, that brought Chris east from Long Beach, California. She is the main reason that keeps him here in the North Country.

When it comes to his role at the Co-op and the Carriage House Bakery he feels “like a round peg in a round hole.”

Originally from Arkansas, Bakari has lived in Potsdam for over six years.  A textile artist, Bakari enjoys spinning, weaving, and naturally dying wool.  He enjoys photography and is a hiker.

Bakari’s favorite things at the Co-op are the organic fruits and vegetables.

 Lynn feels that the Potsdam/Canton region is the best part of the North Country.  She considers the Co-op to be an integral part of what gives the feeling of ‘community’ to this area.

Except for a two year period living in the Syracuse region, Lynn has resided in the Potsdam/Canton area since transferring to SUNY Potsdam to finish her degree.  She and her housemates were members of the Co-op then, a time when membership and working were required.  Her most vivid memory of that time (long before The Bagelry opened) was receiving volunteer credits by bring 13 dozen bagels back from a visit to NYC to eagerly awaiting Co-op members.  Surprisingly, she is still able to eat garlic and onion bagels to this day.   
 
As a community-owned grocery store the Co-op is dedicated to buying from regional growers and producers - a philosophy with special significance to Lynn.  Since owning her own business which provided a marketplace for local artists and artisans, she is especially aware of the importance of supporting area entrepreneurs and keeping locally owned businesses alive and viable.   

Lynn likes working at the Co-op and enjoys its positive environment.  She says that the most difficult part of her day is walking past the warm scones in the morning while carrying a cup of hot Love Buzz coffee.   

She originally came to Potsdam to get a teaching degree, but then she found the Co-op. As much as she enjoyed teaching, she loves this classroom more. She is and feels like a part of something great, and is proud to work here.

"The coop is a lot of awesome,” she says. “Particularly for its encouragement of healthy eating, community….” She's here near daily. And she believes her time-spent in the grocery aisles to be her cardio. A tad reclusive off the clock, she reads, writes, backward-walks. She's a'workin' on an MFA in Creative Writing, and also happily busies herself with film and music-related endeavors. While Co-op shopping, she suggests a stopping by and trying Organic Love Buzz coffee. “It’s grand, that. Truly. Truly.”

In 2008, Eric moved to Potsdam from central Pennsylvania. Despite Pennsylvania’s cold winters, he is stunned by the frigid temperatures Potsdam offers in the wintertime but enjoys the drastic change of seasons.
Eric enjoys working at the Co-op because of his dedication to serving their mission of meeting the needs of the community for specialty and whole foods.  
 
Currently, Eric studies game and simulation programming and hopes to work as a video game programmer in the future. Eric lives with his wife, Tamera, and their cat, Clementine
 

Hi- Leslie here! After a very long stint up front in the Co-op store, I’ve moved back into the bakery building. There, with my trusty crew of deli core-workers, I prepare delicious vegetarian hot soups, salads, hummus, granola and more for you to enjoy. Stop by the deli sales area and see what’s fresh today.

 
Donna was born & raised Parishville NY and is a grad of Clarkson College (1977).
She’s a retired Detective Sergeant, from Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office West Palm Beach Fl., with 25 years of service.  She’s married to Millard Ace and has one teenage son, Andrew Ace.
 
She loves working at the Co-op—there’s great energy & people here!
Her other enjoyments are skiing, yoga, traveling, wine & dining, laughing and having FUN!
 

 
Pootie enjoys sports, outdoors, cuddling, playing, watching, and listening to music; dancing, home-brewing, chicken wings, laughing, playing, having a beard, working at the Co-op, and takin’ it easy. (These, for note, are listed in no particular order.)
 
Pootie has lived in Potsdam all his life and is in no real hurry to leave. His parents are Tom and Marlu, and his brother is Greg.
 

 
Native Alaskan, biologist & runner, Eileen enjoys canoeing, hiking, camping, preparing & eating local foods, snuggling with Emma, Heidi, Scott, Simone & Juneau. She loves the cool Co-op coworkers & customers.
 

Jeremy likes burritos. He's nicknamed by some "Jer Bear".

I’m Matt McKenna, I’m a Potsdam native with a love and passion for art and music. Having played in several bands since my early teens, I continue to experiment with music through many instruments, guitar and banjo in particular as of late. My musical interests are expansive; so feel free to talk to me about music or art. I recently graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, where I studied sculpture, printmaking, painting and drawing. On my free time I enjoy making music, exploring the outdoors, playing soccer, painting and playing videogames.