Courtesy of WBNG– ae story here. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The Greater Good Grocery, located in the North Side of Binghamton, opened during the pandemic.
During the afternoon of September 22, community leaders came together to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and made remarks on the latest addition to serve our community.
“Opening during a pandemic brought so many obstacles, whether if it was manufacturing, shipping, supply chain,” said General Manager Jack Seman. “It has been incredible to come to work, overcome those obstacles, and ready just push forward and be able to serve the community.”
The executive director for Broome County Council of Churches, Joe Sellepack, reflects on how far the community partners have come to make the store a reality.
“It all starts with a journey that goes back four years ago when we went up to Utica to visit a grocery store there that was operating in a very similar location as the North Side of Binghamton,” said Sellepack.
As mentioned during the gathering, this part of our community has waited roughly 25 years for a place like Greater Good Grocery.
“It’s also mind-boggling to think about how many no’s people got and then they finally got a yes. It was so loud, so loud that everybody heard it definitively,” said Sellepack. “Yes we want this and we are so grateful to be a part of this big yes to our community.”
Through getting approval, a transportation obstacle has been lifted for North Side residents to get groceries.
The community also gets something in return through its success.
“The success of this grocery store serves the North Side, but also produces wheelchair ramps through Faith in Action, distributes meals through Chow, just does so many other incredible things for the community, “said Seman.
Anyone is able to shop here with food provided from many vendors throughout the region.
The celebration will continue at the site September 25 at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments and tours will be provided at the 435 State St. location.