The Bethlehem Co-op Market will open its doors to shoppers on Saturday, Dec. 5, culminating 15 years of community planning and investment in a locally owned grocery store at 250 E. Broad St.
Before the official opening, the co-op will host preview events beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, giving the public their first opportunity to shop the completed store. The market has nearly 1,800 member-owners who helped finance the project.
“Reaching this milestone is the result of many years of commitment from so many people who believed in the idea of a community-owned grocery store in Bethlehem and helped bring it to life,” said Todd Mertz, Bethlehem Co-op Market board chairman. “Now we get to welcome people into the store, fill it with activity, and begin doing what we’ve worked toward for so long.”
Bethlehem residents began working toward opening the co-op in 2011.
Mayor J. William Reynolds celebrated the upcoming opening in a video announcement released with Mertz.
“After years of hard work and community support, it is incredibly exciting to see the Bethlehem Co-Op Market so close to opening its doors,” Reynolds said.
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The co-op will hold Preview Markets on select Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, and every Saturday from Oct. 3 through Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can shop with local vendors on Thursdays, purchase pre-filled grocery bags on Saturdays and tour the store.
The market launched a Member Buy-in Challenge, encouraging all member-owners to make at least one purchase during the preview events. However, membership is not required to shop at the store.
Purchases made during the preview period will support preparation for the full opening. The co-op is also seeking volunteers and offering new memberships at preview events.
The Bethlehem Co-op Market at 250 E. Broad St. is photographed Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, ahead of preview events scheduled to begin Oct. 1 and its grand opening set for Dec. 5.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com
Local institutions including St. Luke’s University Health Network and Moravian University have supported the project.
Volunteer opportunities are available at bethlehemcoopmarket.com/volunteer.
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