Donor FAQ

As Cornerstone has reflected on its Mission in the last 12 months, we have realized that some of the greatest opportunities to improve individual well-being start by creating or maintaining healthy communities. Royal Super Mart has been and should continue to be a source of physical, social and economic health. As a non-profit organization, we are positioned to reimagine how a rural grocery store can thrive in a small community. Through this project, we are able to fulfill our mission to improve health and quality of life on both a personal and community level.

Visit www.ccwell.org to read more about our Mission and Vision.

We spent a lot of time and did a lot of research on the best structure for the grocery store. Cornerstone is the parent organization, allowing funds to be donated with full tax benefits to donors. The grocery store will be operated as a taxable entity while simultaneously advancing the Mission of Cornerstone, as all realized profit stays within the organization. This structure best positions us to assume minimal debt at the outset, and in turn minimize financial liability.

• John Winger, the owner of Royal Super Mart 
• Karin Cook, CPA, of Calvert Tax & Bookkeeping
• Western Illinois University, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Rural grocery & economic development expertise
• UNFI Wholesale Distributor
• Bureau, Putnam, Marshall County Health Department
• Wagenmaker & Oberly, specializing in legal counsel to non-profits Wastyn & Assoc., non-profit consulting
• Our board, our families, friends and neighbors

Purchased October 2022. John closed his business November 12th. 

December 2022 – start renovation

Early summer 2023 – Grand Reopening

Approximately 3 years ago the village board worked hard to create a TIF district. This created a significant new revenue stream for the village, and that revenue continues to grow each year.

Last year the Village completed extensive rehabilitation of the business district including: resurfacing Main St., new handicap accessible sidewalks, and new decorative lighting.

OSF Healthcare recently invested approximately 1.7 million dollars in our town with the construction of a new medical clinic. The clinic had outgrown its old space and is already growing in its new one. A 3rd full-time practitioner joined the office in September, and 2 additional full time positions have been created as a result.

We are celebrating the Grand Opening of Parlor Coffee and Cream, a new downtown business being started by a young family who resides in Sheffield.

The Polka Dotted Dresser has moved locations and expanded its offerings with new product lines and additional Sheffield families investing in the space.

Multiple downtown buildings have changed ownership in the last 12 months, with both local and out of town families choosing to invest in our business district.

Our existing businesses are strong and many of them are actively growing and financially investing in their futures in Sheffield. We have other examples if you’d like to know more.

Our Village and volunteers continue to invest in our three parks, including new playground equipment, bathroom facilities at School and West Parks, landscaping and grounds upgrades and more.

Dollar General chose to invest in Sheffield. While this may be seen as a barrier to grocery store success, we believe we can complement their offerings to meet residents’ needs without leaving town.

There isn’t a single solution to this “problem”. We believe that we can add value and create new experiences that capitalize on knowing our shoppers, while recognizing that this won’t be simple and will take some time. Examples of how we might do this include:

• Expanded hours via key card entry
• A deli that will complement our other restaurants pre-made meals for easy pick up
• Curb-side pickup and pre-ordering Self check-out option
• Utilization of space to create nontraditional revenue streams Collaborative design
• A whole host of other things we are excited to explore

After more than 80 years in business, the reality is we need to make some infrastructure upgrades if we want Royal Super Mart open 80 years from now. Infrastructure is expensive and necessary. We can go into the details of how we expect all those dollars to be spent if you would like to discuss further. It is our belief and the advice of experts that we should do building renovations and technology/equipment upgrades up-front to avoid disruptions to business in the future.

No, that is not our plan. We project within 2-3 years we will have a positive operating margin if we are able to obtain funding for the upfront costs. As a non-profit, we can reinvest in the grocery store as well as Cornerstone as a whole.

Yes, all donations made to Cornerstone earmarked for the grocery store are fully tax-deductible, per our status as a 501(c)3 organization.

Donations can be in the form of any tangible asset, including cash, appreciated securities, grain, etc. Visit www.ccwell.org/give.