Will the Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle Open Their Annual Meeting to the Public, or Even Just to Me?

Oct. 1, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

— Update: I’ve heard from Sen. Boscola’s office and been told information will be forthcoming —

The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle will hold its annual meeting on Monday.

The East Broad Street Boondoggle has taken more than $3 million from taxpayers, while fees from “member-owners” are probably a little more than $500,000. There have been some donations and loans from members, but the bulk of the dormant co-op’s funding is from the public.

There is a public interest in knowing how our money is being spent, particularly with the Co-Op being years past its opening date, and in debt, and in in my humble opinion a disaster. Yet the meeting is not open to the public.

Keep in mind, this is not a charity: it is ostensibly a for-profit non-operating operation, and if it ever does make money, the profit will not repay the public. It will go to the members, though I’d say there’s a slim chance of many people getting money out of this.

I’ve asked to be allowed to attend the virtual event. I’ve also asked City of Bethlehem officials to use their clout … perhap’s that’s not the right word … to tell the Co-Op to open it.

I’ve asked state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Bethlehem, if she’s looked into this boondoggle since helping it receive $100,000 in state funds. That was in 2022; where is the money? The big pile of cash, $2.9 million, was federal money that was administered by the City of Bethlehem.

After all, in 2019, City Council voted 7-0 to award the Boondoggle $105,000, and six of the seven voters were — you guessed it — co-op members.

Here’s the email I sent to the Co-Op yesterday, please note it does not say boondoggle or other words that may offend the faint of heart:

Good morning,

I’m asking that your annual meeting on Oct. 6 be open to the public, which has provided the bulk of your funding.

More than $3 million of public dollars are at stake, versus a little more than $500,000 in “member-owner” fees.

The public too deserves member-owner status. It also deserves to know when or if this co-op will open and why more money is needed.

I would appreciate either the link to the meeting being published on your website or sent directly to me.

Thank you

Jeff Ward

Bethlehem resident, sometime blogger

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That’s all. I’m waiting to hear back, and I’m willing to spend part of Monday evening listening to a meeting of a non-functioning co-operative that is in debt, is looking for its second general manager and was supposed to open more than three years ago.