These are a series of links of the existing food cooperatives in California. Many of them include a brief history of their store
http://www.northcoast.coop/about_us/our_story/
http://www.chiconaturalfoods.coop/our-store/
http://www.cccd.coop/
http://davisfood.coop/about/coophistory
http://www.briarpatch.coop/know-briarpatch/40-years/
http://islavistafoodcoop.blogspot.com/p/mission-vision-and-bylaws.html
http://placervillefoods.coop/about-us/
http://www.arenaorganics.org/aboutus.html
https://sacfood.coop/community/
http://slonaturalfoods.coop/history/
http://www.obpeoplesfood.coop/
http://www.coopportunity.com/
http://www.ukiahcoop.com/about-the-co-op/