By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – After five years of planning, Green Top Grocery in Bloomington will finally open at the end of this week.
The co-op announced Tuesday that the store will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday at noon. Owners got the chance to tour the store at 921 E. Washington St. on Tuesday, before it opens. The store will feature locally grown produce and a teaching kitchen. Leaders say they can’t believe the store is finally about to open.
“After working for this for so long, seeing these shelves go up is just an incredibly rewarding experience. Finally being able to call vendors, who are local to Bloomington and Normal, and asking them for opening orders,” says Michael Pennington, general manager of Green Top.
“I think, I hope, that Green Top becomes a fixture in the community. A place, not just for food, but where people feel welcome to gather and really just build a community.”
The store has more than 1,500 owners.
Another grocery store is opening its doors in Bloomington. Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market, 403 N. Veterans Parkway, held a ribbon cutting this afternoon.
“We can serve a healthy diet on a healthy budget,” explains Eric Snow, Store Director. “We’re here to show the community that you can eat healthy, and yet afford to eat on a healthy diet.”
Fresh Thyme has locations in 11 states.
Store leaders say Bloomington was the right location, in between the two big cities.
“Its the size of the community that really works well for us. We’re in St. Louis and we’ve got several stores in Chicago. This was the perfect middle ground for us,” said Tee Air, Southwest Region Director of Operations. “They say the goal is to offer local produce. Right now, that produce comes from farms across the Midwest, including Illinois. The store says its goal is to build partnerships with local providers.”
Fresh Thyme opens to the public Wednesday at 7 a.m.
