Oct. 7, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The Powell House Press’s fifth story about the Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle reveals the financial burden weighing on a place that has never opened.
The 250 E. Broad St. store, which claims it will open Dec. 5, has a lot of financial problems, Josh Powell writes.
See the latest “Little Co-Op That Couldn’t” story at this link.
As we’ve heard many times from the Happy Boondogglers, the co-op idea started in 2011 when somebody couldn’t find a pepper. I don’t understand that, but that’s when this organic odyssey, this simmering sage, this stew of silliness started.
Since then the Boondoggle has run up by my estimate more than $6 million counting spending and debt. That estimate is probably low, not high. The Boondoggle has paid rent for a store that’s not open, salaries for people who never served the public, and consulting fees to the market whizzes who made the co-op what it is today: a store that isn’t open.
The $3.1 million of public money is gone.
If the place can’t pay its debts, are members on the hook? Somebody should have to repay the public.
Powell House Press has taken a hard look at the place and has the primary sources to back up the latest post. If and when the city provides more documents, expect more unpeeling of the onion.
Don’t believe the hype. Look at the numbers.
And Boondoggle On!
