The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle Will Meet Jan. 26; It’s Still Not Open

Jan. 19, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle has been a non-operating co-operative since 2011, but there is one thing it can do: meet.

Yes, the Happy Boondogglers will gather Jan. 26 and there is a lot to talk about, mostly money. It never opens but it always needs more money. It’s seeking to build “a sustainable future” when it’s not even open in the present.

The Boondoggle has spent more than $3 million of public dollars and put $4.5 million or so into its empty 250 E. Broad St. Boondoggle, but it has not yet sold a single head of lettuce despite announcing multiple opening dates.

The Boondoggle is still recruiting members. That costs $300. I’ll consider it if they allow me to join by paying $1 per year for 300 years. I see no value in the membership beyond getting a better look at their finances.

More recently, it has vowed not to set an opening date until everything is just right. Remember, this organization has been around since 2011 and announced opening dates starting in 2022.

Check the calendar. It’s 2026.

Setting an opening date and failing is bad enough, but vowing not to open is kind of odd.

Perhaps the Boondogglers will discuss their refrigeration system. Remember, they’ve been promising to open for at least four years, but according to their social media posts, the refrigeration equipment was delivered in July 2025. They’re having a problem connecting it, a problem they apparently didn’t grasp when they got the stuff six months ago.

The Happy Boondogglers are active on social media and have fun gatherings but they can’t manage to open a store despite the public largesse. So the taxpayers provided $3 million-plus for some peppy people to start a club.

They also won’t make their annual meetings public, or disclose financial statements, even though the public is the (involuntary) main donor. We didn’t get to vote on that, but Bethlehem City Council, state Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Bethlehem) former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild made sure they got our money.

So for those with time to indulge in fantasy, here are the details on the monthly board of directors’ meeting: 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, at the 6:30 PM at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Center, 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem, Room 106. It’s also available online, see the link above.

If I’m not somewhere warm, I might listen in. If not, I’ll try to get a bootleg recording.

Boodoggle On!