By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Green Top Grocery has found its future leader.
The group, which plans to begin construction on a co-op grocery store at 921 E. Washington St. in Bloomington later this year, named Michael Pennington as its general manager Thursday night. Pennington will officially begin his duties once the group has enough funds to continue the project.
Green Top is still about $375,000 short of its goal.
“With owner-loan campaigns there is a tendancy to have people come in at the last minute,” said Pennington. “I really wouldn’t be suprised if all those just came in, especially with the excitement that we’re having tonight, if those all came in on the right timeline.”
Pennington called Green Top one of the most promising co-op start ups in the country.
“Their Board of Directors is one of the most effective and business savy that I think I’ve seen,” he said.
Pennington added the co-op has the support of many individuals, households, businesses and farmers.
Pennington previously served as served as the Interim General Manager at the Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
