The Quay Co-op grew out of a group of feminist, environmental, lesbian and gay, and other social justice activists in the 1980s who set up an alternative resource centre and community space in the city of Cork.
It was originally set up as a community cooperative with a wider membership, and was operated on a voluntary basis.
[1] As the centre started to develop other activities including a wholefoods buying club and a restaurant, the co-operative began to require a clearer commitment from members to provide their labour as a condition of membership.
[1] Quay Co-op operates its flagship vegetarian wholefoods shop from Sullivan's Quay in Cork City, alongside its award-winning vegetarian restaurant.
[2] The co-operative operates two additional wholefoods shops in the towns of Carrigaline and Ballincollig in County Cork.