In a midtown building that used to house a Honda dealership but is now vacant, a motivated group of Kingston residents is starting a store that would be the first of its kind in the city.

They have plans to turn the 10,000-square-foot space into the Kingston Food Co-op, which will be owned and run by its members, and sell locally sourced food.

"I'm excited there's going to be a food store," said Sarah Dukler, a personal trainer who lives in Midtown, but finds herself traveling elsewhere for proper nutrition.

Dukler is happy about the co-op plans for two reasons: It is planned for Midtown Kingston, where no other such store exists; and it is expected to provide health food for decent prices.

"I can't go to a normal health food store and buy all my groceries there because it's too expensive," Dukler said during an interview Monday morning in a local book store. "So I'm excited this is going to be a more affordable option for people."

Anyone will be able to shop at the co-op. To receive discounts, shoppers will need to purchase memberships.

A lifetime membership, which would allow someone to shop anytime at the store, costs $150, for people who can afford it.

People who meet certain income requirements can purchase a "solidarity share," which is the same type of membership, for $15.

Each co-op member will be able to vote on key decisions in how the co-op functions, what foods are provided, and who serves on the co-ops board.

Project coordinator Katy Kondrat said in a press release that any profit made by the co-op is going to stay in Kingston.

“The co-op will be a community gathering place and full-service grocery store that offers locally sourced foods - and your other grocery staples,” Kondrat wrote. “We will be supporting local farmers, offering good jobs to local people, and helping to build a cooperative infrastructure for our area."

"Yes. I think it's much needed there," Karine Duteil said as she sipped her coffee at Rough Trade Bar and Books, one of a handful of business that has donated proceeds to the co-op and helped recruit new members.

In this project, Duteil sees an important opportunity to educate and change lifestyles.

"I hope things like this will lead people to farms, and help out and learn how it's produced," she said. "I think we have to connect ourselves with out food, and that's a beautiful idea."

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

Interest appears to be growing. Kondrat said that in April 2019, the co-op had just 10 members, and by mid-December, there were 290.

She said the co-op is trying to reach 1,000 members before it opens sometime in 2021.

“Now that the Kingston Food Co-op has found its home in our new building, we are an enormous step closer to opening our community-owned grocery store," Kondrat said. "Having our store in the heart of Midtown is an important part of our mission and will enable us to bring more people together around the food of our region and beyond.”