Mt. Pulaski, IL -- After a successful year of planning and fundraising, the Market on the Hill, a new community-owned grocery store in Mt. Pulaski will open its doors for business on Monday, June 22nd on the corner of S. Layafette St. on the town square. A grand opening celebration will follow on Friday, June 26th. To better serve Logan County residents amidst the pandemic, all shoppers will receive 20% off fresh fruits and vegetables, guaranteed through September.

The Market on the Hill is a community-owned grocery store owned by 125 residents of Logan County. Store hours are 9am-7pm Monday- Saturday and 10-4pm on Sunday. The store is open to all, and shoppers need not be owners to take advantage of the store's many offerings. The store will feature a deli with high quality meats and cheeses and will carry a number of staple goods, including pantry items and fresh produce, with special efforts to source products directly from surrounding farms. Upon opening, shoppers can expect fresh greens and seasonal produce from Hilltop Community Gardens in Mt. Pulaski, honey from Sasse's apiaries in Chestnut, and beef from Tyson's Farm in Chestnut, with more local farm products to be added regularly.

"It was important to us to make sure the store not only helped feed our community, but serve as an economic driver as well. Every dollar that the store spends purchasing local products is a dollar that gets reinvested with area farmers who will reinvest it with other local businesses. There is an economic multiplier effect going on that will help our store do double the good—growing both the health and wealth of southern Logan county," says Andy Meister, Board President.

To further support the well-being of the community, the Market on the Hill will offer 20% off all locally-grown fresh produce, guaranteed through September.. The discount is made possible through a partnership with the Mt. Pulaski Economic Development Board and will make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable for shoppers of all income levels at a time when it is needed most.

"The Covid 19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity across the state, and our community feels it too," says Kim Martin, head of the Health Initiative Committee for the Market on the Hill board. "Just getting the store open will provide southern Logan County with greater food access, but we wanted to go a step further and help people afford more of the fresh, wholesome food that is often perceived as too expensive. We're doing what we can to make local produce accessible to everyone who needs it."

Opening week will consist of a "soft open" from Monday, June 22nd through Friday, June 26th at which time customers can shop the store as normal following state health guidelines. The soft open will provide staff the opportunity to work through any initial hiccups in preparation for the grand opening on Friday, June 26th at 6:00pm. The grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting with dignitaries and legislators and free light refreshments provided by Mike Richner Catering in partnership with John Wyss of Primo Grills. Local ingredients will be provided by Hilltop Community Gardens and Tyson's Farm. Outdoor seating will be available and state guidelines for social-distancing will be observed.

For more information about the Market on the Hill and opening week activities visit www.facebook.com/marketonthehill

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