It's extremely sad how far this little store has fallen from its original lofty ideals and precepts. The co-op here used to be a lovely place with eminently friendly employee-owners and a great outreach program to the community. As a longtime former Seattle resident, I spent a portion of nearly every day making pilgrimmage to Madison Market/Central Co-op, and the store was usually my ONLY grocery destination over the course of many years. When I returned recently to my old home-base, Madison/Central deserved of course an obligatory visit. Just like old times right ? Er, not exactly. While my encounter with a couple of co-op employees was pleasant and comfortable, I found myself subsequently and unexpectedly interrogated (and berated) for a long while by the scruffy, heavily tattooed little Nazi on manager duty. The reason ? I had merely inquired as to the status of my (lifetime) co-op membership. Having moved out of Seattle several years prior, and misplaced my member card at some point after that, I was merely curious as to if they happened to still have it on record. In no way was I interested in obtaining some sort of special discount (the items I was purchasing were already on sale) and the only reason I asked about it was for the purpose of re-establishing friendly 'neighborly' relations. Nonetheless, having not found either my name in their system, the hostile little dark-haired man proceeded to accuse me of never possessing a PAID membership, and that I had simply been some sort of charity case or making the story up entirely in order to gain unspecified benefits. Eventually it was discovered that the (very nice) cashier had simply entered my name incorrectly when searching their system, but this overdue realization only came after I was first put on the receiving end of much menacing and inquisitional behavior from the nasty, terrier-like neo-Napoloeon on duty. Very glad to finally be out of there, and now regretting having ever even made the innocent inquiry, I suddenly noticed a major fracas taking place back on the sidewalk in front of the store. Apparently an indigent member of society had left the co-op premises without paying for a cup of coffee. In the old days, this would have merited a firm reprimand or perhaps even the desultory refusal of future service. Stunningly, a larger-sized co-op employee (who had been hovering around the doorway) proceeded to physically manhandle the behooded and bedraggled chap. After much screaming, shouting and requests for assistance on the part of both parties, an entire phalanx of cop cars shows up, converging on the intersection in a SWAT-like display of power and overbearing totalitarianism, subsequently jamming the three-way transport corridor for nearly a half-hour. All of this for a nascent derelict's purloined cup of coffee ? Asininely and assidously, yes. One last observation. The worth of this so-called "co-operative" to the community at large is obviously finite. Their outreach programs used to be quite considerable, if not spectacular. On this last visit, I noticed one single tithe-oriented remittance/association : Centerstone/Jewish Family Service. Nothing about aiding or sponsoring the (apparently former) municipal farming ventures from years and decades past. Circle the wagons hon, the march unto effectually obsolescent narrow conformity continues. read more

I was a member for 35+ years. The people that now run the coop are not the same as the hippies that founded it. They unilaterally dismembered me without appeal. They refused even to tell the date I had joined so I cannot say exactly for how long I was a member. For several years employee Byron provided me with paper grain bags. I am a member of the Village Bicycle Project and we used the bags to pack loose bicycle parts that are shipped in between the bicycles that we send to Ghana and Sierra Leone. (check us out, over 400 containers sent in the last 20 years.) When Byron was promoted to another department and no longer handled bulk items I asked for three years to continue receiving the paper bags. I am not sure if it was because I am older (now 70), or Central Coop could not believe or comprehend that I was involved in shipping used bikes to Africa. In any case they could not give me an answer yer/no whether they would make arrangements to get me more bags. In any case no bags were forth coming. Central Coop claims that they follow the principles of international coops, but they do not want to cooperate with a member involved in helping the poor of West Africa by providing bags that they would otherwise put in their recycling stream. Furthermore, when I was collecting signatures for Washington State Initiative I-1329 to reverse the Supreme Court Citizens United decision I went to 2 Coop Board meetings. Each time they told me somebody would get back to me as to whether the Coop would support the Initiative. I suspect that Coop board members had no knowledge of Citizens United. That is except for one board member who did ask to sign the petition. I never did hear back from them. The people that have taken the coop have no concept of customer service.They accuse, they have no trial and they are the executioners rolled into one They are rude, they are inconsiderate. That is with the exception of Byron. read more

I have had my last bad experience here, I am never stepping foot in this place again. I have had many bad experiences at Mad Market, from witnessing some of the worst brow beating of an employee in public I've ever seen, to rotten vegetables, hard as a brick stale bread, way overpriced pastries, and near rancid coffee. The check out is always the best, the checkers are easily the rudest people I've ever seen in retail, often reeking of one scent or another, easily infections piercings from every tribal influence..did I say rude? rude rude rude...and you know what rude checker, I WAS a freakin member, and it was meaningless, I paid, what 15 dollars a month, can't remember, too angry...anyway, I paid and what did I get, once a month I get to scamper in and get ten percent off my purchases...hello, I eat everyday...and to keep that eating fresh...I BUY EVERYDAY! how bout giving members a discount...I don't, say...EVERYDAY... and 10cents for a bag? would I like to buy a bag? oh shame on me...I was so busy trying to live my vibrant life I forgot to go all the way home first and get my re-usable bag (I have 3 Trader Joes bags hanging on the back door knob) so tonight it was the giant, bald rude as H E(double hockey sticks) checker, and his side kick, ZonedOut...he got my ten cents, I bagged it myself while ZonedOut stood there staring in to space...I did get the obligatory thank you squeezed in while she made excuses for her zoneyness... phew...it should be easier to eat better read more

I love organic, fresh, local food- of which they have in abundance. I just hate that their staff, particularly the deli department, feels that they're just too good to help you. As a naturopathic physician I recommend this market to my patients frequently. Or at least used to. After the 5th patient told me what rude service they received, I decided to take them off of my recommendation list. Just today- which prompted me to write the review, I waited over 10 minutes at an empty deli counter, with two employees behind it just to be noticed. When I rung the bell they looked at me like I was interrupting their personal lunch time. When I asked for the items I wanted, it was like I was asking them to give up their personal belongings. Sarcasm and hipster wit are actually not attractive in a service oriented place. I hope there is an attitude change in the works. read more

I always leave wishing I had shopped at a different grocery store. This place has the highest prices matched with the most miserable service in town. Move through checkout quiet and polite but this staff will find ways to punk you. Be advised: Don't forget your tote bag! Don't expect staff to bag your groceries! (Very demeaning) Don't forget to rush through checkout before they shove your food off the counter! Apparently, you can't believe in locally sourced foods and also believe in the basics of customer service. Management encourages this cartoon-level of snobbery. Big question: do you only hire uppity white people?! I've been going here, out of convenience, for years. But I do need to finally quit. Food costs are too high and other stores are more deserving of my money. (literally anywhere else). read more

My review might be biased: I own the place! OK, so about 10,000 other people also own the place, but I feel special somehow :-) I live nearby and do about 1/3 of my shopping here. Awesome selection of organic, vegetarian, vegan, and genrally healthy and responsible food. I doubt you'll find a single drop of high-fructose-corn-syrup in the whole joint. The bulk food section is great. Most things are labeled (Organic, Fair Trade, Local, etc...) The deli is good for a quick grab-and-go lunch. If you are an owner/member then opportunities for discounts abound. read more

If you care about supporting the local the community this is really the only place to shop. If you care about really really great produce this is one of only a handful. If you care about worker and community owned organizations this is the place! I live very close and love shopping here. They are still re-staffing after a hard run in with covid and a few other issues but they are coming back strong and I love supporting them because I know the money goes right back into our neighborhood and our state. read more

I used to shop here all the time. Unfortunately a lot of the better employees have left, & the newer crew leaves a LOT to be desired. Experienced horrendous attitude again this evening from an arrogant tall pony-tailed jerk stalking the aisles w/ a clipboard. Luckily, just yesterday i discovered Sidecars Pigs up in the U. district. A smallish market but extremely friendly, & no ugly meat products stenching up the place ! That's where i'll be shopping in the future. read more

Great bulk food section. Great attitudes from the employees. Good selection of hot sauces (more! more!) Everything else is too varied to mention, but typically way above average in all regards. Madison Market is always very clean, well stocked, and conscientious of product ingredients. I will always choose this place over PCC, Trader Joes, Wholefoods, or any of those corporate natural grocery chains. Great for vegans! Yay!!! read more

The guy at the deli counter with the greasy slicked back hair couldn't understand me when I said, "Turkey burger." He looked uncomprehendingly at me for a long few moments and then said, "Are you calling me a turkey burger?" I was standing at the case, pointing to what I wanted, in a store whose purpose is to sell me food, and he acted like I had just said, "Buick." Not a pleasant exchange. read more

I'm only rating this co-op a 3 star. Most of the staff is pleasant enough, however there seems to be an attitude problem behind the deli counter. The long term staff there never smiles, and they often act like your business is interrupting their "whatever". As for the quality of goods, I must say I am impressed! They make wonderful sandwiches, soups and salads. read more

Seattle's best kept secret! I love the selection and quality of produce--basically a farmer's market in one place. The bulk section is fresh and amazing. I can always find what I need there. Also, the small parking lot is useful when you do need to drive. EV charger as well. Highly recommend for your fresh, frozen, and bulk needs. read more

I don't like this place at all. I witnessed a rude experience and when I inquired about it, they didn't even respond. I prefer to shop at places where respect is always given and this place is not it. Others seem to have a different experience but mine is what it is. read more

I could spend my whole paycheck there! Everything in the fresh cases is super yummy. I like all the choices they have, vegan, gluten free what have you. I pop in at least twice a week for a sandwich or soup and a yerba mate. I love that they are a co-op. read more

Dear Madison Market, why do I love you so much? Could it be that your Kale is actually better than anywhere else? Could it be the tangy kamut salad? Or could it be the super hot and incredibly charming staff? Hard to tell exactly why... but it is so. read more

I used to shop at this overpriced co-op market that it is run by dredlocked, tattooed oddballs. But, recently learned that the Board is anti-semitic and considering a boycott of Israeli products. Once a store becomes political, so do my dollars! No more. read more

I love Central Coop! This market is exactly what I'm looking for...down to earth and good prices. Even when we moved out of the neighborhood we continued shopping here. The have a good, consistent product rotation and are always adding fun new items. read more

I'm in here every few days, for bagels if nothing else. Great bulk food section, and lots of vegan stuff. The staff is always friendly enough if not always effusive. It isn't the cheapest grocery around, but it is one of the best. read more

If anyone is interested in a bit of truth about Central Co-op, scroll down this page until you see page 1 through 12 and a group of numbers. click on, other reviews that are not currently recommended. read more