Community-Owned Grocery Store launching in Mount Pulaski with Farm-to-Table Social Hour on September 12th

[September 09, 2019]  

Southern Logan county residents and surrounding communities are invited to a Farm-to-Table Social Hour on September 12th to learn more about the launch of Market on the Hill, a new community-owned grocery store slated to open on the Mount Pulaski Square in 2020.

Farm-to-Table Social Hour
Thursday, September 12th
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Food tent located on the corner of Cooke and Washington on the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Square.

The event is free to attend, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with farm-to-table appetizers by Richner Catering, featuring ingredients from area farms.

At 6:15 p.m. Tom Martin, area farmer and Market on the Hill interim Board President will provide a short presentation on the vision, mission, and investment opportunities for the grocery store, followed by an opportunity for discussion.

To close the social hour, dessert will be served and Market on the Hill board members will be available to answer additional questions and accept investment pledges from new owners and members.

The Market on the Hill is slated to open in 2020 on the corner of S. Lafayette on the Mount Pulaski Square in the old flower shop building pending $125,000 in investments from residents of southern Logan County and surrounding communities.

The store will offer fresh vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains from local farmers and gardeners, further driving economic investment in the area, while also providing staple items and canned goods to meet the needs of the community.

Market on the Hill aims to serve the entire southern Logan County community and visitors. Two ownership options will be available at different investment levels, along with a more affordable membership option. Ownership and membership is open to all, and owners and members will receive special discounts and perks at the store; however, anyone is welcome to shop at Market on the Hill, regardless of ownership or membership status.

While those who choose to invest in stock or membership will enable the community grocery store to get up and running, the long term success will depend on the management team listening to the needs of the community and to all those within the community patronizing the store.

“A community owned grocery store means that this store is owned and operated by our southern Logan County residents but also serves as a gathering place for friends, family, and neighbors to bump into each other and say hello,” says Lorah Hoe, Market on the Hill board secretary and Administrative Aid for the Mount Pulaski Economic Development and Planning Board (EDPB).

“With the support of our regional community, we have the opportunity to provide a small grocery store with fresh foods seven days a week. And if that support continues, we will thrive and expand on what we can offer the southern Logan County community. But without that system support, we won't survive. Bottom line is that we need each other.”

The search for a new grocery option for southern Logan County began shortly after Mount Pulaski’s only grocery, Johnson’s Grocery Store, closed in 2016, leaving much of the southern part of Logan county without convenient access to fresh food.

The closing of grocery stores in rural communities is part of a nation-wide trend, and without means to attract a new grocery store, the town’s Economic Development and Planning Board (EDPB) explored options to regain control of their food system and ability to provide community members with access to fresh, wholesome food.

In 2018, the EDPB applied for and was awarded one of 15 Local Foods Local Places planning grants provided by the EPA across the country. Grant recipients receive no funds, but instead receive access to technical experts that work with the community to develop an action plan for creating more vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods by promoting local foods. The grant has helped with the planning of several initiatives to bolster economic activity in Mount Pulaski, including the development of the Market on the Hill grocery cooperative.

“We’re putting a stake in the ground and saying our community is taking control of our future and moving forward from this moment on.” Tom Martin, Market on the Hill Board President.

The EDPB has also been in regular communication with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs to provide guidance and technical assistance on grocery cooperative development.

To date, the Market has created an interim board of directors, incorporated, secured a location and rental agreement on the town square, and developed branding and communications strategy. The next, essential step to move forward with the project is to secure investors.

This Farm-to-Table Social Hour is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.

In addition to the Thursday evening Farm-to-Table Social Hour, community members can ask questions about Market on the Hill and visit the S. Lafayette location from 4:00pm - 8:00pm on Friday 9/13 and Saturday 9/14 during the Mount Pulaski Fall Festival.

[Molly Gleason
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Communications Director]