Fine Words Butter No Parsnips as Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle Bumbles On, Concedes `The Project Remains at Risk’ as Opening Is Delayed Again

Sept. 22, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle was supposed to open “this summer,” which is over today.

The market is not open. It has set no opening date. It is several steps from opening, more than three years late.

The Co-Op resembles one of those Doomsday Preachers: : “The world will end Tuesday. No, I meant Thursday … No, next week!”

The board makes lot of peppy statements, but as the old English saying goes, “Fine words butter no parsnips.”

I posted a report last week about this debacle after listening to its public meeting. The Co-Op, which does not operate at 250 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem, needs another $1 million.

This same organization received $3 million in taxpayers’ dollars, has raised perhaps $500,000 from members (who belong to a mythical operation), has raised another $600,000 in pledges (if they all come through), needs another $1 million and owes a little more than $1 million. It has spent millions on … on … what?

The self-delusion is strong in this one.

The speakers at last Monday’s meeting have lots good intentions but this thing is a mess.

Some comments:

— The Co-Op needs money to “cushion the blow for the hiring and the training we’re going to have to engage in.”

— “Most co-ops and new businesses are vulnerable for that first year.” No doubt, especially this one, but when will that first year start?

— “Things are looking really strong.” Not really.

— They need $1 million on top of the other millions frittered away, so “that way we’re not open for just like a few years.”

The meeting was mindboggling. They have a staff of sorts now, but not a general manager. How much money has been spent on personnel for something that is not open?

As for the opening, who knows? Maybe this year? First, they need a refrigeration contractor to come on, maybe next month. The contractor will spend four weeks, then the Co-Op needs a certificate of occupancy from the City of Bethlehem.

Here’s a list of Co-Op statements on their opening:

— In 2021, they announced a $2.9 million federal grant and a 2022 opening. One need not look at the calendar to know that was three years ago.

— They did not open in 2022, but the organization did carry out “a thorough review of the bylaws.” Chew on that for awhile. Also, the Co-Op attended a block party. That’s nice.

— After various delays, this was announced May 23, 2024: “After 13 years of dreaming, planning, and hard work, the Bethlehem Co-op Market will open our doors in 2024!”

The doors did not open. Around that time, the Co-Op posted a recipe for zucchini chips. I have to be honest, it looks pretty good. I’m going to try it.

Then in September 2024, the Co-Op said it “is adjusting its grand opening until 2025 … ”

Then earlier this year, the opening date was “this summer” which is officially over.

So now it’s late 2025, the work isn’t done, the Co-Op has “high-interest debt” and it needs more money and who knows how many millions of dollars have been spent?

This is a disaster. Because public money is involved, it’s time for somebody to step in and check on what has gone on. Perhaps the federal government, which tossed in the $2.9 million. Perhaps the State of Pennsylvania, which kindly provided $100,000, courtesy of state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Bethlehem.

I sent two emails to Boscola’s team last week. No response. I’ve asked certain state and city officials to check, no response. Bethlehem handled the $2.9 million federal grant, so it has an obligation to speak up on this, particularly after certain people in city government doted on this project.

So what do we have? A few million dollars gone, no opening date, more money is needed, making the Bethlehem Co-Op the ultimate boondoggle (waste of public money).

As for the members, their money is their business. They are free to throw more away.

When it comes to the waste of government funds on a project that never deserved public support, we need answers.

I will keep checking.