The future home of GreenTree Cooperative Grocery is part of a 10,000-square foot building on Broadway, sandwiched between City Hall and Mountain Town Station.
Like Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, cooperative grocery started in downtown Mount Pleasant
The “For Sale” sign is outside at GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, just off the sidewalk on North Franklin Street and sheltered by mature trees.
GreenTree has been in its current location since 1977.
Future occupants likely can take possession after October, after the longtime grocery moves into its new home: A 10,000-square-foot space that is part of an $18 million, 50,000-square-foot building project on Broadway, sandwiched between City Hall and Mountain Town Station.
The GreenTree Cooperative Grocery and Krapohl Ford & Lincoln relationship started in 1970 as neighbors in downtown Mount Pleasant. The growing auto dealership was at 114 Court Street and the grocery was at 1 Franklin Street. The grocery, known for offering produce and food from local and Michigan-based producers, opened just as Krapohl was packing to move to its current location on Pickard. In its early days it was open three days a week. By 1977, GreenTree had moved to its current location.
GreenTree can trace its roots to 1970 on 1 Franklin Street, when it was open three days a week. (Photo courtesy of Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University.)
Krapohl staff members have supported GreenTree over the years, and some are among the investors in what will become its new home. The campaign has a goal of $1 million of the total $3.2 million cost, and more than $820,000 has been invested.
“My wife, Shelly, and I have been members at GreenTree for many years,” Krapohl co-owner and general manager Mark Smith said. “We also have supported this campaign. More than ever, our community-owned grocery is going to pull people downtown.”
GreenTree is Krapohl’s featured community partner for July as its leadership hopes it can complete its ongoing campaign this month. Those interested in investing — there is an annual dividend for investors — can visit GreenTree’s website.
Sarah Christensen, general manager at GreenTree, said 160 people and businesses are invested in the project, which will give customers more space to park, more room to shop and a wider variety of choices.
“It’s the biggest downtown project in progress, and we’re looking forward to being an even more vital part of a vibrant downtown,” Christensen said.
Longtime favorite items will make the move to Broadway and continue to be part of Greentree, said Christensen and Laura Coffee, marketing and owner services manager. Christensen said the chocolate, dietary alternatives, such as non-dairy ice cream and non-dairy cheese, are among her favorites.
“The non-dairy cheese is good now, not like it was when it first came out,” she said.
Both Christensen and Coffee said the daily soups and the served-all-day breakfast burritos will continue. The regular Wednesday soup special — Glorious Laksa — is the most popular. Christensen said vegan breakfast burritos outsell the sausage version, “but both are popular.”
Coffee said the bulk spice row is among her favorite areas of the store. And the Buckeye bars, in square form and sold by single or a pack — “or even a whole tray” — have a following.
Connect with us
