NEWS
Mifflin Co-op Celebrates 35 Years
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Also by Rebecca Wolfson:
- UW Student Group Combats Pollution (April 16, 2004)
- Students, local homeless launch shelter campaign (March 24, 2004)
- Smoking ban continues to draw controversy (March 30, 2004)
- Protestors decry homosexual portrayal of Christ (March 8, 2004)
- Smoking ban faces strong likelihood of passing (March 2, 2004)
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by Rebecca Wolfson
Monday, February 2, 2004
After surviving threats of closure, the Mifflin Street Co-op is celebrating 35 years of operation. This weekend the co-op, located at 32 N. Bassett St., had an in-store party with live music, free cake and free massages. The Nottingham Co-op sponsored a house party Saturday night benefiting the Mifflin Street Co-op and featured live music from the Apologists, the Escapists and Jake Leg Slim. The store recently experienced struggles due to West Johnson Street construction and slow winter break cash flow, according to Glenn Mitroff, a volunteer and member of the education marketing committee. On December 3, 175 people came together for the largest ever Mifflin Street Co-op general assembly meeting and voted overwhelmingly to keep it open for another six months. To keep the store open in the future, however, will involve a great deal of community and volunteer support, something that has come in large numbers from people committed to what they see as a very important cause. ?When you see all of the familiar faces, you realize that there is a community, a common goal,? UW Senior Micky Ellenbecker, a Mifflin Street Co-op volunteer, said. The Mifflin Street Co-op is a more economically and environmental-conscious establishment than a large chain grocery store, according to its members. ?The way the food system is set up is so disrespectful of the earth and its resources,? Mitroff said. The democratically owned business works to incorporate the views of its members into daily operations. ?We are democratically owned by the members. Workers make decisions by consensus,? Dustin Moriarty, co-op staff member, said. ?We have dignity on our job instead of having a boss who is exploiting us.? There are a number of main things students can do to help the co-op, according to Mitroff. They can join the co-op, make non-tax deductible donations, or volunteer. ?I?m confident that people will rise to the occasion. I?m hopeful that we will have a successful future,? Mitroff said. A new student group composed of different committees and subcommittees in support of the Mifflin Street co-op will be holding a potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m. February 4. Students interested in getting involved can attend this gathering or stop in the co-op for more information. According to Mitroff, the main thing students can do is shop at the co-op, where they can find a wide range of goods from organic vegetarian taco mix to beer. ?I think it is a great place for students, a friendly place,? Mitroff said. Volunteers and members remain confident that through the support of the community, the Mifflin Street Co-op will continue to flourish. ?We are definitely taking a gigantic step in the right direction,? Ellenbecker said.
