Meet Carl Johnson

As both a coffee shop and grocery store, Carl does all he can to ensure that his business creates zero waste. Coffee grounds serve as an efficient pH balancer for soil, which is especially useful in Minnesota where soil can be easily contaminated by water runoff. All of Storehouse Grocer’s coffee grounds are given away at no charge to both local farms and community members. So, not only are the grounds being reused, they are also contributing to the regenerative cycle of sustainable local agriculture. But what can be done about the food on the grocery end of things? While there are many shelf-stable foods, the store also provides items such as bread and pastries. Carl explained: 

“Privilege creates mythology. There may be a myth people are living out when it comes to food waste. We have plenty of articles that talk about the capitalization of expiration dates… So everyone believes an expiration date is what food has to live to.”

However, this is not the case. There are many ways to reimagine food before it is deemed inedible. For example, bread that is beginning to go stale can be made into french toast. If food is not selling, Carl always prioritizes donating it to the community to minimize waste. If the intention is set to be imaginative with the repurposing of food, there is always a new avenue to take advantage of to become more sustainable. 

Accessibility is also integral to the framework of Storehouse Grocers. When Carl and his wife first started this journey, they realized that people had the means to obtain food but not the tools to bring it back home. One solution they came up with was distributing hot meals to nourish those who do not have access to cooking equipment. More than anything, their business model emphasizes the importance of creating long-term solutions that uplift local economies by listening to community needs. Carl stressed: 

“If you can create an environmental plan without having sustainable food production that means capitalization has told you food is something people will always be able to get, and that’s not true.” 

For Carl, being able to serve as a support system for his community is immensely important. At first, it was difficult to build connections with community members. With such a diverse neighborhood, it was crucial to identify a core foundation of necessities the store could provide. The first step was to listen to people’s needs such as evening hours, affordable prices, and cultural foods. Carl created a Facebook group of over 150 people where he is able to survey involved members and post about what is coming into the store. In addition to the grocery store and coffee station, the space also includes a small stage where people can gather for events. As a whole, the building serves as a hub for community members of all backgrounds to gather. 

A big issue that their business feels is important to address is food insecurity. Carl provided a set of criteria for identifying a person’s level of food security: 

1. They need to know what food is 

2. They need to know how to cook the food 

3. They need to be able to buy food 

4. They need to know where the food is located 

An impactful way in which Storehouse Grocers is addressing all four points of food insecurity is through their Social Kitchen Fellowship. This annual fellowship lasts from six to nine months and is open to folks ages 18 to 30 years-old. Many similar programs in the Twin Cities limit their age range to 24 years-old, so Carl is able to bridge the gap for 25 to 30 year-olds hoping to expand their food knowledge. The fellowship begins in November and kicks off with three months of learning about the grocery and barista industry, followed by 120 hours of basic kitchen training taught by a professional chef. The program aims to not only address food insecurity, but also provide skills that can be applied in professional settings. 

While smaller grocery stores are becoming more popular, they still are a scattered business model, especially in Minnesota. When asked about any words of wisdom he might share with those looking to get into this business, Carl said as follows: 

“When you are on the front end of pioneering things, especially in a Midwest city, things look like they aren’t working but they are working.” 

At times, things may not be working out perfectly in terms of profit, but it is utterly important to focus equally, if not more, on the social profits seen within the community. As with any business model, you never know what will work until you try it out for yourself. Carl says he draws inspiration from other small, scalable grocery stores across the country, such as Stockbox Grocery in Seattle, Washington. If you are working in collaboration with your community, whether it be local, national, or global, there are always ways to innovate to uplift sustainable business models. 

If you are interested in being involved with the expansion of Storehouse Grocers, please visit their community fund. 

You are not only investing in the grocery store, but also the betterment of food systems in the Twin Cities.