Recent development and revitalization in downtown Harrisonburg is encouraging for the future of the Friendly City Food Co-Op.

The co-op is scheduled to open in 2009 in the downtown area. The location has yet to be decided.

The group currently has 450 household memberships, and it held a meet and greet membership drive Tuesday to attract more members.

Co-op representatives are excited about other downtown development aside from their own, such as the Urban Exchange Condominiums on East Market Street that will bring residents within close proximity of Harrisonburg's downtown.

"It's very exciting for the downtown. It's the residential component is key to that. And key to residential development is grocery store development as well, and we think a lot of those folks will have a real passion about the Food Co-Op just as we do," says Sam Nickels, a co-op representative

The co-op is holding another meet and greet at Earth and Tea Cafe from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.