Social Enterprise Through Acquisition (SETA) Project
The NLFC is excited to embark on a journey to support private business to transform into co-operatives in Rural Newfoundland & Labrador through the SETA project.
With an alarming 55 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 1-4 employees in our province projected to exit within the next five years, primarily due to retirement, SETA’s mission is clear. We aim to facilitate the transformation of vital local, private businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador into sustainable social purpose community organizations (SPOs) to strengthen local economies and ensure the continuity of essential community services.
Project Partner
Project Supporters
First Co-operative Conversion Completed: Two Whales Coffee Shop - now owned by Table 8 Co-operative
Since 2009, Two Whales Coffee Shop has been a cherished local business in Port Rexton thanks to its founders, David Ellis and Sue Asquith. Now retired, Two Whales has been successfully acquired by Table 8 Co-operative, which is owned by a stellar group of employees. They have been operating their first season co-operative-owned since May 2025! The hard work and passion of the founders and new owners are a testament to how businesses in rural NL can look to the co-operative model for retaining important local businesses.
Special thank you to Flourish Community Development Co-operative and the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation for making the Two Whales Coffee Shop Co-operative Conversion journey possible!