An independent-living center for senior, planned for a 7-story new building site proposed by ICCF, could be the home of Grand Rapids’ first co-op grocery store.  Grand Rapids Food Co-op president, Linda Jones, states that her organization will need to raise $1.2-million by 2020 as well as attract 1,000 memberships at $250 each, prior to the opening of Tapestry Square.
Low income residents can purchase a co-op share for $25.  The Co-op would be on the ground floor level, occupying 10,000 square feet of grocery store space.  Their specialty would include healthy local foods at affordable prices.  In addition to traditional grocery store foods, the emphasis is based on organic and healthy as opposed to snack-junk foods.  Plans call for deli, buffet with hot food items and a demonstration kitchen.

    This new “supermarket” will be based on a “Whole Foods” system-idea.

The ideal membership will be a mixture of household incomes and the beginning of a “neighborhood” shopping environment and experience.