by Anya Firszt, General Manager
Hello dear Owners, Happy 50th Anniversary!
In 1973, a group of people in Madison’s Marquette neighborhood wanted to take control of w
here and how their food was sourced and grown.
A year later this same group of people opened our first store on Williamson Street. And, for the last fifty years much of our business has been fairly routine; buying locally grown and produced products, employing people, and serving our Owners and customers.
The Co-op has specialized in organic and natural foods for as long as we have been open for business. But, one thing that sets us apart from other grocery stores is that we are a cooperatively-owned and democratically controlled business. Our Owners have a say in how the business is run, what products to sell, what services to offer, and how to distribute the profits. The cooperative business model works.
The Co-op has stayed focused on its mission and vision, however we changed over the last fifty years, from one store to three. Our Co-op has grown to be one of the country’s largest consumer cooperatives with $67 million in annual sales, 400 employees, and nearly 34,000 Owners.
Together we navigated four relocations and three remodel and expansion projects at our eastside location alone. We needed more kitchen space to support prepared foods sales growth at our east location and the potentiality of a second store, so in 2005 we opened an off-site production facility. In 2010, East was nearly tapped out in terms of sales growth, so we opened our second store in Middleton, and in 2016, we opened our third store on Madison’s northside, in what was Pierce’s Market. And, last March, we opened our newest location, Aubergine; a space for Co-op and community events, private rentals, cooking classes, and gallery space for local artists.
We owe so much to our founding member/Owners; were it not for their vision, hard work, and dedication, we would not be here today. Thank you founding Owners!
If you have recipes, stories or photos to share about the Co-op’s early years, we’d love to hear from you. You are invited to share historical Co-op stuff at info@willystreet.coop.
In recognition of this major milestone, we have planned a few 50th events–enhanced Owner sales, year-long give-aways, cake cutting, 50th Anniversary photo exhibition at
Aubergine, Owner Community Perks, and the “Rooted In Community” mural dedication. Cheers to 50 years!
Annual Meeting
The Co-op’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 at Aubergine (1226 Williamson Street). The event is in person this year, scheduled to begin at 5:45pm and run to about 6:30pm with a panel discussion to follow. Light snacks and beverages will be available before and after the meeting. We need 50 Owners to reach quorum, can we count on you?!
2024 Annual Board Elections
Annual Board elections are happening this month. We have six Owners running to fill four seats (3: three-year terms and 1: one-year term). Ballot information is included in this issue of the Reader and will also be sent to you via email (provided we have your current email address) and/or US mail. You can cast your ballot in-store, online via the email link we sent, by phone, or mail in your ballot. Electronic ballots are due no later than Monday, October 14.
Election results will be announced at the special Owner meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 16. Last call for ballots is 6:00pm with the results announced at 6:30pm. Look for election updates on the Co-op’s website following the special meeting or in the November issue of the Reader.
Willy East Mural Update
The new Willy East mural, “Roots,” is close to completion—what a wonderful transformation of the East’s west wall! The mural dedication is planned for mid- to late-October 2024. Come and see the finished work and meet the artist, Sylvia Annelise Hecht. See article on page 8 to learn more about the muralist and her work.
Upgraded ATMs at the Retails
You may have noticed that the UW Credit Union ATM at Willy East has been replaced with a new upgraded model that is now interior access only. The one at Willy North is scheduled to be replaced October 1–2, with the same new upgraded model. The ATM at Willy West is scheduled to be replaced October 9. Sorry for any inconvenience these upgrades and down times may have caused.
Here’s to you, dear Owners, for being part of the journey for fifty wonderful years!
Anya
