The Columbus Food Co-op has found a home. The community owned grocery announced last night that it has signed a letter of intent and plans to have a lease in hand in the next few days.

The grocery plans to open in the 1500 block of Central Avenue, in a renovated factory space.

Mike Johnston, the co-op board president, says that the co-op plans to focus on locally grown and healthy food.

He said that will benefit local farmers by giving a new outlet for their crops and products. He estimates that the co-op will spend $500,000 in its first year on local produce and $2 million by year 10.

A co-op is a community grocery store owned and operated by its members. They elect the board overseeing the operations and the co-op is responsive to local needs.

The Columbus group formed in 2010 and had originally planned to open in the former Aldi’s space on 25th Street, but that deal fell through.

A fundraising campaign is under way. They need to raise $2.1 million dollars to open by the end of 2018. That would include just over $600,000 in loans from the members of the co-op.

Membership is $90 for a household and there are just under 900 members. You can find more information at columbusmarket. coop