A new business opened in Indiana that will serve some of the grocery needs for borough residents.
The new Indiana Food Co-op opened in Downtown Indiana on Saturday at the former Gatti Pharmacy building. The Co-op is sharing a space with “The Funky Brunch” restaurant, taking some of the retail space that gatti used when they were in business at the corner of 7th and Philadelphia Streets.
Eric Barker said the idea to bring a food co-operative to Downtown Indiana began with the closure of the Giant Eagle Express in 2015:
“It was a big loss to the community when the Giant Eagle Express closed down, which meant the borough of Indiana was without a grocery store for the first time in over 60 years, and perhaps for the first time in a couple hundred years. Shame that there was no place to get fresh fruits and vegetables and produce in the heart of downtown, and that was the genesis of the project.”
Candice Bolger of the Co-op said that while they will serve every customer that comes in, people can join the co-op and get not only discounts, but a voice in how things are run:
“When you’re a member of the Co-op, most importantly I think, you get a say in the Co-op. For every membership there is one vote, and you’re able to vote on policies and have an invested owner relationship in it at our annual meeting every year.”
The food Co-op is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 to 3.
