NE Mpls. Co-Op Breaks Ground On Big Expansion Project

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Eastside Food Co-op broke ground Monday morning on a big expansion project.

Store officials say when the expansion is complete they'll add more than 20 jobs to the northeast Minneapolis neighborhood.

The expanded store will include a full-service deli, a meat and seafood counter, a coffee shop and a community room.

Board members and city officials say it's all part of the neighborhood's revitalization.

"What was once boarded-up buildings, you now have co-ops. Where you had streets that had broken windows, now it's proud new shop owners and where we used to make all kinds of things in factories, we now make beer," Kevin Reich, city councilmember, said.

The co-op says it should take just less than a year to complete the expansion. They'll remain open during construction.