Though subcategories of each exist, there are essentially two ways for DCM owners to choose to invest further in the project:

• Preferred stock, an equity investment of at least $500 that will accrue non-compounding interest of 0% to 5% a year, payable when and if the store is open and sufficiently profitable. Preferred stock shares can be resold to DCM but only ten years after issuance. 
• Community investment notes, with terms of 5 to 9 years and investment amounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000; investors will pick an interest rate ranging from the IRS' AFR rate (commonly used for intra-family and related party loans) and as much as 4%, with annual interest payments.

The differences between the two are laid out in prospectus documents sent to owners in recent days. A press release heralds the co-op's intent to raise as much as $1.5 million from the vehicles during the month of February -- sufficient funding, they believe, to move the project forward.

While the nature of the two vehicles differs (and not surprisingly, equity stakeholders have to wait for the co-op to operate, essentially, before they see any payout), both types of investment are likely to be subordinated to any external bank loans.

This is clear from the prospectus -- and no surprise, really, given that the whole point of these investments is to give Durham Central Market the financial bona fides it needs to be able to go to banks and other debt investors to raise the rest of the money for the co-op.

Based on the track records of other co-ops nationally, DCM expects that the typical co-op share owner will invest $5,000 in the project, though some investments of at least $50,000 are thought likely, too.

Ultimately, the work to date of attracting owners to the co-op is and has been the necessary step to show the level of community interest in the project and to justify ongoing unpaid volunteer time on the project -- as much as 12,000 hours, by DCM's estimate -- and to fund start-up costs for organizing, taking out the option on the site, and project management.

Now the real work begins: finding the debt and equity to bring Durham's downtown food co-op to reality.

Interested in learning more? Stop by a scheduled event this weekend to find out more about the co-op's plans:

Durham Central Market will rally for an evening of food and film, Sunday, February 13, 2011, 6 to 8 P.M. atthe Trotter Building. WUNC radio personality Frank Stasio (The State of Things) will host the event, along witha film by local filmmakers Durham Cinematheque, and news about the state of cooperative grocery stores byStuart Reid (Food Co-op Initiative). Local chefs will be providing tastes from Four Square, Rue Cler, Piedmont,Toast, Watts Grocery, Fullsteam, Wine Authority, The Portable Gourmet Baking Company, Six Plates, FarmHand Foods, Revolution, and other restaurants and cafes.

For more information on Durham Central Market, or to learn how you can invest in the development of acommunity-owned neighborhood grocery store, visit www.durhamcentralmarket.org or call (919) 627-1310.