Hampden Park Co-Op

A cute co-op on Raymond. I popped in looking for a small piece of bread to have with some soup. I found a wonderful scone which was perfect for my soup. This co-op is a bit smaller than others I have been in, but has some great finds. There is a small hot bar, which many people were taking part in the day I happened to stop in. To be honest, if I didn't already have lunch, this would have been appealing.There is also a selection of regular grocery goods that I'm sure is nice for the neighborhood.

This is the smallest co-op in the Twin Cities but the one with the biggest heart. In a very efficient space you can find all of your grocery needs many times with two or three choices. The hot bar for lunch is a highlight as are the freshly made sandwiches made in their kitchen. Their bakery case usually has freshly baked scones and muffins. Fresh coffee is available for purchase at all times. This is a member owned business but it's not necessary that you be a member to shop at the co-op. The staff are experienced and welcoming. Look for the plant sale in May at an event called Mayfest at the co-op.

Local Fresh Sustainable Friendly...It's a pleasure to shop in a co-op that has such a great vibe! From the ready-to-eat options (yummy soup) to the produce, dairy and frozen items, it is a different shopping experience! I wholeheartedly recommend buying eggs here! You can buy a dozen eggs or you can pick out your own eggs! At $2.89 for a dozen of farm fresh eggs from Elk River that you pick, it is a great deal - AND - the eggs are wonderful tasting!

This is just such a cool space. Really great options for all sorts of cooking/dishes, fun locally made gifts, and an overall great staff and ambience. I love co-ops, and I don't understand why some of these reviews say this place isn't welcoming. The staff here were really friendly to me when I came in for the first time, and although the place is small I think I could've wandered around for hours.They had produce I'd never seen or heard of (I'll try to take some photos to add later), as well as all the essentials. A HUGE coffee collection, all sorts of grains, spices, pre-made dishes and ingredients, sweets, etc. I was really intrigued by their toiletries section, actually, because they had dozens of organic (incredible smelling) soaps, shampoos, and all that jazzzzzzz. Maybe if you're not as easily swooned by earthy, ~hippie-dippy~ places as I am, you'll think this place is overrated. I, for one, think it's an absolute treat. I'll be visiting here often :)

I love Hampden Park Co-Op because it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's an "abridged co-op" with the essentials you expect to find at a co-op. All the fresh produce you need for supper plus bulk spices, grains, beans, etc., great quick prepackaged food-to-go options like sandwiches, deli, an assortment of great soups at lunch time, etc. Lots of frozen and pantry items, dairy, as well as a select assortment of health and beauty products. Hampden Park has the exact same store smell and very humble "general store" type of shopping experience that I remember Mississippi Market had back when it was conceived in in the late 1970s on the corner of Pascal St and St. Clair Ave (today that building is home to Artscraps, and childhood co-op nostalgia still floods my senses going there).Eventually I'll cough up the share to get ownership of Hampden since it's my closest neighborhood co-op, and I love the way the store is managed. I think it's a whopping $45 or something. lolAnd they have a bin where they collect those insidious plastic shopping bags for recycling. No, Eureka won't take them in your street bin!

I'm going to confess something: I'd never been to a co-op before. I was all freaked out: Am I allowed to shop here? Will they judge me if I get non-organic chips? Will I have to go through some weird checkout process that only members really know about? Will it be awkward? I don't even look like a hippie... Does this make me pretentious? I know. Silly. But still. This happens to be quite close to my work, so one day I ended up hopping down the block a-ways to satisfy a desperate fruit craving. Never fear non-co-op-members. It's okay to shop here. No one is gonna judge you. Everyone at this place is super-nice and they have a great (highly seasonal) stock of fresh fruit. There's no complicated process--just bag your stuff and check out. Just like a normal grocery store (hey, don't judge--I didn't know!). They ask you if you're a member (because there's a discount if you are) but they don't give you the stink-eye if you say no.The best things about Hampden Park Co-Op:--They have fresh soups every day, and every single one I've tried has been delicious. Seriously delicious.--Decent selection of fresh produce.--AMAZING local fresh-daily baked-goodies.--Highly addictive, local, fresh-weekly caramels and chocolates plus a lot of other packaged chocolate varieties.The mixed-bag things:--The store is small so selection isn't super-duper great.--Produce is highly seasonal, so it's not extensive. However, this could be considered a good thing since they only stock what's actually, you know, good-tasting at the time.

I love this mini-coop. It has become a staple since I've moved into the St. Anthony Park neighborhood. Their stocked goods are a bit limited because of their size, but I've been pretty satisfied with my daily grocery needs. For a wide variety of items you'd need to go to a bigger coop. I also love their bakery items. The items they make are so buttery and delicious!!The cashiers are very fun and nice. I've enjoyed the bonds I've made with them. The people on the floor seem to be more quiet and reserved. Because of the smallness of the store it can become a bit cramped, but otherwise the layout is nice.!

A lovely neighborhood coop complete with everything you might need. They have a soup bar and hot bar that changes daily, bulk items, excellent produce, teas, coffee and so much more. Friendly service and kind staff. Highly recommend!

From what I remember, it was a decent coop until the following occurred: I was reading ingredients in wrapped sandwiches when female Patty["i"] demanded, "empty your pockets." Young malewith her THOUGHT he saw me pocketing sandwiches.When pockets revealed tissues, Patty muttered, "oh, sorry,"and scampered back to the store's rear.Had I not been stunned, I would have demanded a call to the police.as my attorney suggested after the fact.After such unprofessional, appalling behavior I would have welcomed some coffee, etc. This event happened about ten or so years ago.

Phenomenal customer service and great selection in a small, neighborhood co op. The deli items are always top notch, the soups are absolutely perfect, and the bakery items are wonderfully unique. I especially recommend the cardamom cookies. The produce selection is robust without being overwhelming. I appreciate the specialty varieties of fruits. All in all, while I love co op shopping everywhere, this is my favorite one, and I don't even live in the neighborhood. Highly recommend.