BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Facing cash flow challenges, Bethlehem Co-op Market has decided to delay the neighborhood grocery store’s grand opening to an undetermined date next year.
The store’s “final piece of the puzzle,” as the co-op’s September newsletter puts it, includes buying equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, shelving and more, to outfit the space at 250 E. Broad St.
The store — more than a decade in the making and now with around 1,600 member-owners — is planned to feature 4,500 square feet of shopping space open to the public regardless of membership.
It will offer a spread of grocery offerings and even free drinking water and a community room with wi-fi, among other amenities.
A look inside the market as of three weeks ago showed the progress on the two-year process putting up the building, which also has apartments in the upper three floors.
“We know this news may be disappointing, but we assure you that this delay is necessary to ensure we build a strong, sustainable foundation for our co-op. We want to ensure that we are in a place to best serve you and our entire community.”Bethlehem Co-op Market's September newsletter, on delaying the store's grand opening to 2025
“While we've been working tirelessly toward our goal of opening in 2024, we've encountered some challenges that will push our grand opening into 2025,” the newsletter reads.
“We know this news may be disappointing, but we assure you that this delay is necessary to ensure we build a strong, sustainable foundation for our co-op.
“We want to ensure that we are in a place to best serve you and our entire community.”
Part of the market’s funding structure included a $2.9 million grant, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
And since that funding has come through in the form of a reimbursement, the co-op now needs to buy the necessary equipment before accessing the associated grant money, officials have said.
New, familiar faces across the board
In the meantime, the co-op continues to hire staff. It recently brought on an accounting manager, assistant retail general manager, prepared foods manager and human resources specialist.
General Manager Eric Shamis said the store will have 30-40 full- and part-time employees once at full staff.
The prepared foods manager’s grand-opening preparations including planning and taste-testing the store’s potential grab-and-go selections.
Have a beloved family recipe to share with the Co-op's new prepared foods manager? Be it sandwiches, cold deli salads, hot entrees, soups, dressings, baked goods or something else — put it into a PDF or Word Document and send to info@bethlehemcoopmarket.com.
Have a beloved family recipe to share as part of the process? Be it sandwiches, cold deli salads, hot entrees, soups, dressings, baked goods or something else — put it into a PDF or Word Document and send to info@bethlehemcoopmarket.com.
Beyond store employees, the co-op also has brought on new and familiar faces to its board leadership.
With former board members Carol Ritter and Deb Fritz stepping away from their positions, Co-op membership recently elected: Kali Gibson, who’s seasoned among the co-op’s Membership, Outreach, Volunteers, Education and Events Committee; Denise Krenski, a five-year member-owner of the Co-op; and Todd Mertz, who’s kicking off a second term with the board.
Turkey time, more public showings
A holiday turkey “pre-order palooza,” as the co-op called it, now has orders open for both fresh and frozen turkeys. The holiday birds will be ready for final purchase and pickup after Dec. 18.
Co-op volunteers and their outreach table will be on hand at the Easton Farmers Market on Saturday.
A holiday turkey “pre-order palooza” now has orders open for both fresh and frozen turkeys. The holiday birds will be ready for final purchase and pickup after Dec. 18.Bethlehem Co-op Market
And a handful of people are needed to march on behalf of the co-op in the Bethlehem Halloween Parade on Oct. 27. There also will be a few kid-sized vegetable costumes, courtesy of Touchstone Theatre.
“Whether you're a walking box of cereal or a bundle of fresh fruits and veggies [just like the ones we'll carry in our store], we want you to join our festive BCM group,” the newsletter reads.
