Schweizer Berghilfe - Village shop in a mountain village in Uri

After the closure of the only village shop, the mountain village in Uri at 1800 m above sea level is left without local shopping facilities. But the mountain people are taking action. They set up a cooperative to take over the shop. The village population joins in the project in solidarity. However, the renovation of the old shop and the new equipment required present the young cooperative with its first major financial challenge. With the help of Swiss Mountain Aid, Landjäger.ch supports the project.

The closure of the only village shop is a heavy blow for the small village in the side valley of Uri. The shop was the only local shopping facility, and the older population in particular used to buy their daily necessities here. But the mountain people did not let it get them down. They founded a cooperative to take over the vacant shop. At the same time, an operating company is founded to run the village shop on a self-supporting basis in the future. Almost the entire village population supports the project and subscribes to share certificates. Supply contracts are concluded with a retail chain. As in the past, the village shop will also house a post office partner branch in order to ensure the supply of postal services in the mountain village. Despite the solidarity of the population, the financing of the project, which will also create two new jobs in the village, is a major challenge. The shop has to be renovated and it needs modern furnishings. Despite the financial participation of the community and a concession from the property owner, the cooperative cannot meet the costs alone. It has therefore turned to Swiss Mountain Aid for help.