Oryana Community Co-op of Traverse City, Mich., was recently named the recipient of the 2022 Scale Up North Award. After a multistage process, Oryana was chosen from three finalists in the Traverse Connect Hagerty Scaling Business Award. The award recognizes an established business whose growth helps the local economy and gives back to the local community.

The award includes a $5,000 cash prize cash and in-kind prizes (including in-kind business services such as consulting, professional development services and employment law counseling) valued at more than $41,000 that the co-op can use to leverage its work in the community, recognize staff and support continued growth.

“Winning this is impactful, especially for Oryana turning 50 years (old) next year,” Oryana General Manager Steve Nance said.

Especially impressive is that Oryana’s growth took place at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, during the start of the pandemic. However, Oryana’s acquisition of a local Lucky’s Market from bankruptcy enabled the co-op to grow from $16 million in sales in 2019 to $32 million in 2021.

“Steve Nance and the entire Oryana team did a fantastic job of presenting Oryana’s mission for nearly 50 years, highlighting the support we provide to our entire community, and the story of our expansion of the second store,” said Oryana’s Marketing and Communications Manager Sean Burns.

“For Oryana, it’s truly an honor and recognition of the efforts of our team and the support of our owners and the community over two very challenging years,” Nance said. “It also recognizes the many shoulders the co-op stands on of folks that — past and present — have worked, owned, grown and produced for Oryana. This wonderful honor gives us even more momentum as we head to our 50th anniversary in 2023!”