Roadside flying saucer at Moonbeam, Ont. (Google)

Thanks to the generosity of people who live in Moonbeam, Ont., or have lived there, the town will soon have a co-op grocery store to replace the grocer that went up for sale earlier this summer.

Town Coun. Gilbert Peters can't believe how many people contributed money who once lived there but don't live there now, although most of it was raised by current residents.

"I would like speak with [these] people [about] just why they did this … did it, you know? And I can't really give you an answer, but we were totally amazed with the amount of money these people put back in the community that they're not going to live in no more," Peters said.

He said the co-op will cost more than $290,000, and more than $260,000 has already been raised.

Peters is confident the remaining money will be raised soon. He says the co-op will put out an ad next week to find a manager to run the store.

They will also design a contest to name the co-op.

Moonbeam is a town of about 1,100 people on Highway 11 about 100 kilometres northwest of Cochrane.

It's known for its roadside flying saucer.