By Eric Stock and Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Green Top Grocery announced its location for a cooperative grocery store will be in Bloomington.

The group said Wednesday it will locate a store at 921 E. Washington St. Green Top hired a consultant to study possible sites for a store, which its members would own. The group has nearly 800 members so far.

The group said the location will help meet its goals of providing local, healthy food to a diverse audience. Outreach Manager Katie Novak said the location met the criteria developed by Green Top’s owners.

“It’s easily accessible to all modes of transportation – biking, walking, public transportation, and of course, parking,” said Novak. “That’s a big factor here in Bloomington-Normal. Everyone likes to park where they’re going.”

Novak noted the location is in a “food desert,” another important factor to owners.

“And it’s big enough for us to meet our needs, but it’s not too big,” said Novak. “It’s going to be about 10,000 square feet total with about 7,000 feet of retail space.”

Novak said the facility will cost about $3.6 million.

“We know that we need to make about 50 percent of that from our owners. Some of that comes from owner equity. So when folks become owners their investment helps cover some of that cost,” said Novak. “Also we’ll be looking to source the balance of that from an owner loan campaign. Right now the goal for that campaign is $1.5 million.”

A general manager search, which is expected to take three to six months, will also be conducted. Novak said they hope to open within 12 to 18 months.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].