Kevin Anderson

kevin.anderson@sunmedia.ca

A concerted effort to save Moonbeam's Épicerie Léonard by turning the local staple into a co-op grocery store is progressing, as reports Tuesday morning had the amount raised toward the purchase price of $290,000 at $30,500.

This, after just one-week of fundraising efforts.

Included in the $250,000 price tag of the store is the approximately $140,000 in stock, shelving units etc. which the current owner is willing to commit to the potential co-op. He is also prepared to become a shareholder in the co-op, with a verbal commitment to purchase 10-15 per cent of the stock, representing an investment on his part of between $25,000 - $37,500.

Alain Léonard, the current owner of the store has given a deadline of the end of August for the purchase of the store. That however could be extended, should "significant progress" be made in the co-operative effort.

A Facebook page has been created to publicize of fundraising efforts. Visit www.facebook.com and search Épicerie coopérative de Moonbeam Co-Operative Grocery Store to track the effort's progress.