BETHLEHEM, Pa. – 2025 came and went without the Bethlehem Co-op Market opening its brick-and-mortar grocery store.

What will 2026 bring?

For one thing, a pledge to stop circling a projected opening date on the calendar, at least for now.

The co-op included this in its December 11 newsletter:

“We know past projections have shifted, and out of respect for our community we’re committed to sharing a date only when we are absolutely confident every partner, contractor, and funder is aligned.”

Frustrations have been mounting as one delay after another keeps shoppers out of the 7,000 square foot, full-service grocery store at 250 E. Broad St., which was first announced in 2021. Ground was broken at the site the following year. Now, several projected opening days are in the rearview mirror.

Some of the delays have been tied to complexities that were included in the fine print of a $2.9 million federal grant that was announced nearly five years ago. The grant was a reimbursement grant, meaning the co-op had to spend its own money first before requesting repayment from the government.

That money has been used in full, spent on construction, infrastructure, equipment fit-out, operations and staffing costs, the co-op said.

But funding challenges continue. Just a few days ago, the co-op told its members via its newsletter that it has a $160,000 gap to fill before it can open the grocery store.

Originally, the co-op estimated it would need about $600,000 to make that happen. But an additional refrigeration connection expense of about $200,000, coupled with cost increases associated with the extended construction timeline, pushed that opening threshold to $825,000, the co-op told 69 News.

The money is part of a larger $1.6 million Sustainable Futures campaign to keep the store afloat through its first year. Of that grand total, “To date, we’ve received $438,925,” the co-op wrote in its newsletter.

The non-profit is appealing to its 1,700+ members for donations and for what it calls member-owner loads.

Once the store is open, anyone can shop there, not just members of the co-op.

The Bethlehem Co-op Market will hold its next regular board of directors meeting on Monday, January 26. The meetings are held at the NCC Fowler Center at 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, and are open to the public. A virtual option is available as well.