Mariposa Food Co-op is throwing open its doors a few times over the next month so that West Philly residents can keep tabs on the renovation of its new space ahead of the official opening in the fall.

The first of the three open houses is Sunday, August 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Others will be on September 13 (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and October 2 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). All three will take place at the soon-to-be Mariposa location at 4824 Baltimore Ave (see picture).

You can drop by the open house at any time and kids are welcome. Mariposa is encouraging people to RSVP here.

Community members are invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony and reception to mark the start of renovation and construction of Mariposa Food Co-op‘s new location today at 3 p.m. at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

The co-op has raised over $2.37 million and is ready to start the construction in the first week of July. If all goes well, the new store is scheduled to open in October.

Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to attend the event, along with representatives of the project’s major supporters, and other honored guests. Food and refreshments will be served.

A mock-up of the expanded Mariposa at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

The Baltimore Ave member-owned  food co-op Mariposa needs some help to cover the estimated $2.2 million costs for their new location down the street in the old bank building at 4824 Baltimore. The co-op recently purchased the building.

The co-op has most of the tab covered in a combination of grants, loans and donations. But there are two ways that neighbors can help cover the rest. The first is buying some raffle tickets at a buck apiece. Each ticket gives you a chance to win one of dozens of fabulous prizes, including handmade goods from local artisans, classes and workshops, deals at local eateries and hotel stays. VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave.) is selling the tickets online here. The raffle drawing will be held Nov. 20 from 2-10 p.m. at Dock Street Brewing Company (701 South 50th), in a shindig that will include live music.

Mariposa is also offering member loans. The loan terms are from five to 10 years and offer a 3 percent return. Many co-ops have used member loans to help with expansion plans and decrease the reliance on banks. The minimum loan is $1,000.

The proposed layout of the new building.

So the skinny on the expansion in case you hadn’t heard … The new space is a five-fold increase from the current space and there are plans for a mezzanine level cafe, a classroom and rooftop gardens and behives. The folks at Mariposa say that the added space will help them scale up their purchasing volume and keep prices relatively low. The added space will also mean that the co-op will be able to serve non-members, though membership – the lifeblood of Mariposa – will still be encouraged.

A date has not been set for the opening of the new building.