Many of you know that we at South Philly Food Co-op have been organizing for years to open our community-owned grocery store. We’re excited to report that we are on track to open at 2031 South Juniper Street — a half block from Broad Street, Snyder Avenue, and East Passyunk Avenue — late this summer.

We have 3,333 square feet of commercial space in a brand new building, with about 70 percent of that expected to be retail area. As soon as we secured our site in late 2016, our facilities team started working with United Natural Foods Inc. and our architect, local B Corp Re:Vision Architecture, to design the layout. The design was slightly modified based on input from leaders from Weavers Way and Mariposa Co-ops. Re:Vision also completed our architectural renderings, and our contractor, Buckminster Green, completed basic framing work inside the site so that our landlord could install an HVAC system.

Buckminster Green is now ready to complete the bulk of our leasehold improvements. Construction will be fully underway in early spring, when we expect the general manager to come on board. We are hiring for this position now.

In this incredible moment, we are reminded of the power of the sixth international Principle of Cooperatives: cooperation among cooperatives. We have had the tremendous fortune of working with cooperators both locally and nationally to realize our dream of a values-driven, community-owned grocery store. (Cheers to Weavers Way leaders for all your technical assistance!) Now, we’d like to celebrate with you.

Please join us for our groundbreaking celebration on the evening of April 18. Tickets are $25 for member-owners or $35 for non-members in advance, and can be purchased at www.southphillyfoodcoop.org/groundbreaking. Your ticket includes free food and drink at South Philly’s Bok building. There will also be live music and a silent auction.

For questions about South Philly Food Co-op, contact capital campaign organizer and board member Emily Wyner at emily@southphillyfoodcoop.org.