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.