NEWS
Willy Street Co-op turns 30
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Melanie Truhn:
- Chancellor speaks at neighborhood meeting (November 21, 2003)
- State confusion over burial grounds (October 15, 2003)
- Willy Street Co-op turns 30 (October 17, 2003)
- Coffee Store Added to Downtown Area (October 22, 2003)
- Fall festival to bring back detoured customers (October 23, 2003)
Related Stories:
- Grocery store to change owners (October 8, 2007)
- WSUM to celebrate first birthday (February 20, 2003)
- Twenty-first birthday celebrations can be dangerous (March 8, 2004)
- Nitty Gritty to celebrate its 300,000th birthday (September 16, 2003)
- Board may stop cooperating with Mifflin Street Co-op (October 24, 2006)
by Melanie Truhn
Friday, October 17, 2003
A longtime anchor in the Williamson Street neighborhood, the Willy Street Co-op will celebrate its 30th birthday the weekend of Oct. 24.
“The co-op is significant because it just celebrated it 30th birthday. There were tough times and good times, but the membership has been supportive since day one,” Willy St. Co-op General Manger Anya Firszt said.
According to Firszt, the co-op has grown in its 30 years to house 115 employees, more than 10,000 members and earn more than $10 million in sales.
“It is very much a business supported by members,” Friszt said.
The co-op began business in 1973 and since then has held five different locations, Willy St. Co-op Communications Manger Brendon Smith said. The co-op has been located on Williamson Street for 30 years, each time on the 1100 or 1200 block, Friszt said.
According to City Council Ald. Judy Olson, District 6, the co-op is lucky to have found the location that it did. She said the co-op is a business and community anchor for the area.
“Williamson Street is fortunate that the co-op is there, if it didn’t have a major grocery store it wouldn’t be as vital commercially or culturally,” Olson said. “It’s the right business in the right place.”
Smith said the co-op’s board of directors was added in 1979 to help consolidate decision-making.
“The decisions are still made by the members, but the board helps guide them,” Smith said.
Olson said she believes the co-op has prospered due to the involvement of its members.
“It has survived and thrived because it is a co-op in an area where participation is valued,” Olson said.
Friszt credited the founding members with a large role in the co-op.
“The founding members deserve a lot of credit for challenging the system and finding another source for food other than what was conventional,” Friszt said.
In order to commemorate the anniversary, the co-op is having brunch October 25, followed by pumpkin carving and painting activities. The co-op will also give away gift cards for the store ranging from $30-$250 in value.
Alumni employees and board members will be serving birthday cake at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Smith said he is proud of all the co-ops around the area.
“There are a lot of co-ops in Madison, they are all significant because they’re owned by members. They get a say in what goes on, compared to regular stores,” Smith said. “Lots of people wanted organic, so they voted. In a lot of stores that wouldn’t be an option.”
Friszt said she is happy to see more and more co-ops around the city.
“It’s really exciting right now. Other neighborhoods are looking at co-ops as respectable ownership structures to occupy storefronts,” Friszt said.
