BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Leaders of the under-construction Bethlehem Co-op Market on Wednesday celebrated the start of the final chapter of its long journey from a “vision to reality.”
Crews will soon get to work outfitting the ground floor of the four-story building that will house the market at 250 E. Broad St. on Bethlehem’s North Side.
“Tonight we celebrate the progress of the Bethlehem Food Co-op. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”Carol Ritter, Bethlehem Co-Op Market board chair
Members of the market’s board and executives from Boyle Construction and Peron Development drove nails into a board outside the building Wednesday evening to kick off the new phase.
“Tonight we celebrate the progress of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op,” board chair Carol Ritter said. “It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”
The Bethlehem Co-op Market on Wednesday received its first round of funding — about $123,000 — from a $2.9 million grant that U.S. Rep. Susan Wild helped secure for the organization, giving eventgoers another reason to celebrate.
“We're not your average grocery store. We're much more than that."Carol Ritter, Bethlehem Co-Op Market board chair
Bethlehem was first approved in 2021 for funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development on behalf of the co-op.
Ritter credited the co-op’s board, staff and local and state lawmakers who have shown “confidence in us and our mission.”
‘Not your average grocery store’
The co-op will not only provide healthy and affordable food; its staff also will work to teach members — and “future members,” as Ritter calls them — about local sustainability and natural food systems.
“We're not your average grocery store. We're much more than that,” Ritter said, fighting back tears.
The Bethlehem Co-op Market will mean “everything” to many Bethlehem residents when it opens this summer, Ritter told LehighValleyNews.com.
The co-op will offer residents a “walkable” and “affordable” grocery store that cares about its community, Ritter said.
It already boasts more than 1,500 members months before its grand opening.
The top three floors of the building will feature 42 one- and two-bedroom apartments, known as Market Flats.
Laura Collins, Bethlehem’s director of community and economic development, said the co-op is “a project … that demonstrates just what is possible with so many important community partners working together.”
“It's just such an asset to Bethlehem, and we're really proud of this project and proud to support it,” Collins said on behalf of Mayor Willy Reynolds.
Co-op officials last year announced plans to rebrand from Bethlehem Food Co-Op to Bethlehem Co-op Market.
General manager Eric Shamis said the change would provide “clarity” and let those who aren't members know they can still shop there.
