By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Green Top Grocery needs more ‘green’ before it can build its grocery store in Bloomington, so the co-op is turning to its owners for help.
Outreach manager Katie Novak told WJBC’s Dan Swaney Green Top will be seeking loans from its 838 members to raise $1.5 million.
“We are using a model that co-ops across the country have used numerous times for years and years so we know there is success in the model and we think we can implement it here with success,” Novak said.
PODCAST: Listen to Dan and Colleen’s interview with Novak on WJBC.
“We have allotted two months for the campaign so we anticipate it will end at the beginning of September.”
Construction of the store expected to cost $3.6 million, but Novak said the $1.5 million will be enough to start construction which the group hopes will be in the fall.
Novak said she doesn’t believe having a store that sells locally-produced food will hurt local farmer’s markets or CSAs in which farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers.
“People get acquainted with and accustomed to this healthy, local food, they see the difference in the quality and want more of it.”
The store will be on East Washington Street near Beer Nuts east of downtown.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
