We are beyond excited to bring you this very special anouncement!
We have hired our first-ever General Manager, and want to introduce him to you:
Following a national search that began last fall, the co-op’s Board has named Eric Shamis of Easton to the new position.
He will begin his new position on May 1, working closely with the Board to guide the fit out of the store as well as the hiring of employees and opening of the store, which is projected to open later in 2023 at 250 E. Broad St., Bethlehem.
Says Eric: “I am thrilled to take part in the historical movement that is creating a community hub in the heart of Bethlehem. It’s an exciting opportunity to offer healthy, locally sourced and reasonably-priced food in a fun and inviting atmosphere.”
“We’re excited to have found Eric to lead us into the next important phase of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op,” says Carol Ritter, Chair of the co-op’s Board. “His experience and values are a great fit for our organization, and we are very excited to begin working with him.”
Eric is an experienced retail leader with 21 years in retail operations, 17 of them in retail management, and 14 years specifically in grocery operations.
At 16 years old, he started pushing carts for a regional grocer; this began his fascination with the grocery business. He went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Temple University in 2010 with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, he rejoined the grocery industry as an Assistant Store Manager. In 2013, he joined a large international grocer, where he continued to manage stores.
Eric has held various leadership roles, including training new store management, helping with new store openings, serving as a district green captain (which focused on a store’s environmental impact), and being a district lead for a business resource group that focused on awareness and barrier removal for those shoppers with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Most recently, Eric was a store manager for a large grocery cooperative, where he continued his focus on training and development. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, volunteering in the community, hiking, walking, and listening to music.
(Photo credit: Nick Chismar)