The name for The Mustard Seed just came to us one day while dreaming about the co-op, and it quickly stuck. Here is our rationale:

• Mustard seeds are small, but grow into something many, many times their size – and have quite the kick!  We like this metaphor for the downtown co-op.  It is a common metaphor that’s part of the cooperative message – starting from humble beginnings to grow and become a source of food, rest, and shelter.  It is our hope that a downtown grocery co-op could be all of these things to everyone who is seeking good food, community, and health.
• Hamilton already has references to its status as a “mustard town”, with the International Village BIA Mustard Festival in past years. In fact, Hamilton is home to the largest miller of dry mustard in the world – G.S. Dunn Limited.