Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
PAOLI – When the Lost River Market & Deli re-opens in April, customers will be able to peruse an expanded deli section, savor a meal sourced from local producers in the cafe as well as grab items to prepare a meal at home. The business will also have a new name, Lost River Co-op & Cafe.
The Paoli food cooperative closed in December for a remodeling and restructuring of the store. The market sustained tornado damage in the summer of 2023. Rather than make repairs quickly and get back to business, the co-op’s board saw an opportunity to make changes to the building and business model to reflect changing consumer demand and serve the community in a new way.
“People were coming more for prepared food and catering, but we were limited in what we could do,” said Debbie Turner, board member of the Lost River Co-op & Cafe.
The deli previously represented 25% of Lost River’s business. In the new store, the deli will comprise about 50-60% of the store’s sales.
Gabe Plimpton, co-op co-manager, wants the cafe to be not just a deli offering grab ‘n’ go items, but a place where people can have a pleasant experience and for diners to understand the value of supporting local growers.
The cafe will have a panini grill, salad bar, made-from-scratch soups, grain bowls, baked goods and daily hot bar.
The retail section will be smaller to focus on the cafe and deli offerings. Lost River will carry grocery products from regional companies as well as local crafts and artisan products.
Lost River will continue to have local produce. All meats – available fresh and frozen, year round – are locally raised. There will be a selection of dairy and refrigerated items and an ample selection of bulk foods.
Old coolers and freezers will be replaced with smaller, more efficient models.
The restructuring will also allow Lost River to begin a new partnership with the Orange County Food Trust, a nonprofit food hub. The group will take over many of the local food projects such as CSA boxes, Food as Medicine meal kits and outreach farm stands that were developed by Lost River Market.
Turner said the market launched a meal kit program about five years ago, distributing kits sourced from local farmers. About 30 kits were distributed each week. In 2023, the market partnered with Purdue Extension Orange County and the IU Center for Rural Engagement to distribute about 1,000 free meal kits. The Food is Medicine program addresses food insecurity and aims to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases.
The changes to Lost River won’t affect local producers, Turner said.
“Local growers are still a strong focus,” she said. “We have about 15 farms that we source produce from and three to four meat vendors.”
Lost River Co-op & Cafe shoppers can find locally produced honey, syrup, meat from Fischer Farms and Allen Farmer with the Orange County Cattleman’s Association, pork from Hall’s Family Farm in Orleans and chicken from Miller Chicken in Goshen.
The Lost River mission
Lost River Market opened in 2007 with the mission of promoting community well-being, economic prosperity and self-reliance in Orange County.
Recognizing there were a number of local food producers, the Lost River initiative sought to promote the local growers by selling locally grown food and educating customers on using raw ingredients and making healthier food choices.
Re-structuring the market had been discussed for about two years, Turner said.
Plimpton said it came down to what worked and what didn’t.
“We’ve experienced ebbs and flows,” Plimpton said. “The decision to make these changes will let us focus on the things that are working and let go of things that aren’t.”
“Lost River’s rebranding and renewed focus is very exciting for our community! We are lucky to have an independent grocery store and cafe that supports local growers and it is truly a quality of life asset, especially in a rural county,” said Skylar Whiteman, executive director of the Orange County Economic Development Partnership.
From the outside, a food co-op may look like any other grocery store, but unlike corporate chains, food co-ops are independent and owned by their members. Food co-ops focus on their community, not investors, with the goal of nourishing their community with the best, locally sourced food.
“The restructured Lost River Co-op & Cafe may not be able to supply all your grocery needs, but it can provide the best in local products…meat, produce, local jams, honey, and specialty items,” Turner said. “The Cafe will provide quality meals which can be quick or lingering. And any time you walk in the door you are instantly greeted and become part of a community, right here in downtown Paoli. Come for good food, come and meet friends, come to see local artwork and hear local music. You’ll be welcome any time. As some members say, ‘We’re in the business of feeding community.’”
Located just off the downtown square at 26 Library St., Lost River Co-op and Cafe was originally a JayC Store, built in 1948.
The construction is in its final phase. New flooring has been installed, fresh paint is going on the walls and a wall was added in the back to create a community meeting space. There also will be a dedicated space for live performances.
After three months of being closed for the updates, Plimpton is looking forward to serving customers again in the new cafe and seeing their reaction to the new offerings. Lost River has been providing updates on its social media of the construction progress as well as the many changes.
“You can tell people are excited about what’s happening,” he said.
Lost River Co-op & Cafe will open April 10.