| Foundation | August 2014 (age 12) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Founders | Kathy Sample Bill Brinkerhoff |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Locations | 3 |
| Area served | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Products | Local produce, meat, dairy, baked goods |
| Homepage | www.argusfarmstop.com |
Argus Farm Stop is a grocery store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The store sells local farm sourced goods and produces, where the farmers set their own prices and receive a share of the sales revenue based on a consignment-based business model. The model has gained national attention as a method for connecting local farms directly with consumers.
History
Argus Farm Stop was founded by Kathy Sample and Bill Brinkerhoff to provide a consistent retail outlet for local farmers, particularly outside the traditional market season.[1] The first store opened in August 2014 in a former gas station on Ann Arbor's west side. The company later expanded, opening a second location with a café on Packard Street in 2017. In 2022 they opened a third location two doors down from the 2nd location on Packard, splitting the grocery store from the café.[2][3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the store expanded its online ordering and pickup services to meet a surge in demand when their business almost doubled.[4][5]
Impact and recognition
Argus Farm Stop has been noted for its local-first model offering a "hybrid between a farmers' market and a grocery store." In 2024 alone, the store generated nearly $7 million in gross sales across its location. Through its consignment-based business model,[1] of the total sales in 2024, Argus paid out $4.4 million to farms and food producers, with a profit margin of around 1.8 percent.[4]
The model provides a significant revenue stream for small and medium-sized farms, enabling some to expand their operations.[3][4] In 2024, to encourage adoption of its business model, Argus hosted the first National Farm Stop Conference in Ann Arbor.[1] The three-day conference hosted over 130 attendees from across the country.[6]
References
- ^ Hodder, Paige (2024-08-12). "Farm Stops Create New Markets for Small Farms". Civil Eats. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Saunders, Drew (2024-12-02). "Argus Farm Stop Celebrates 10 years of Business in Ann Arbor - Current Magazine". Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ "Ann Arbor grocery store on mission to support local farmers". WXYZ 7 News Detroit. 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Talty, Alexandra (2025-05-17). "What if a Grocery Store Was More Like a Farmers' Market?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ "COVID-19 Stories: Michigan Ross Alums' Argus Farm Stop Leverages Connections to Local Farmers, Fills the Gap For Groceries". Michigan Ross. 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Beauchamp, Emma (March 25, 2024). "2024 National Farm Stop Conference: Reimagining Retail for Local Farmers and Communities". Center for Regional Food Systems. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
Books
- Barr, Kathryn (2023). How to Start a Farm Stop. Ann Arbor, MI: Maize Books. doi:10.3998/mpub.12891197. ISBN 978-1-60785-845-4. Retrieved July 17, 2025.