Willy Street Co-op signs lease
on Middleton Store Site
on Middleton Store Site
The next step for the Co-op involves a Bond Drive. Already Owners have pledged to buy the
Bonds that will help finance the project. The goal is to sell at least $600,000 worth of Bonds
by May 26th, 60 days after the lease-signing. When the Co-op moved its Williamson Street
store to its current location in 1999, it sold $443,000 in Bonds to help finance that project.
"When we've sold $600,000 worth of Bonds," said Anya Firszt, the Co-op's General
Manager, "we will have cleared the last major hurdle on the way to opening the store."
Willy Street Co-op held its first event at the Middleton site on Saturday, April 3rd. The “Willy
West Welcome” was attended by approximately 300 people who asked questions, picked
up informational materials and bought a $5 brat lunch, the proceeds of which benefited the
Bock Community Garden’s Plant-a-Row-for-the-Hungry program.
The Co-op plans to hold more informational meetings and events throughout the westside
over coming months. Construction on the space began in April, and the store is slated to
open in October of this year.
The Co-op expects to add 95 jobs and will hold a job fair in the fall.
Willy Street Co-op is Madison's largest consumer-owned natural foods store, offering the
finest organic and locally-produced foods since 1974, including produce, dairy, packaged
grocery, vitamins and supplements, and a deli that features homemade soups, salads and
dinners. The Co-op's buyers are committed to supporting local growers and producers. The
Co-op believes that a sustainable local economy is vital to the health and well-being of all
eaters in the community.
Anyone can shop at the Co-op, and everyone is welcome to join and become an Owner.
Membership provides the capital to operate and improve the Co-op. For more information
on Willy Street Co-op, please visit www.willystreet.coop.
Bonds that will help finance the project. The goal is to sell at least $600,000 worth of Bonds
by May 26th, 60 days after the lease-signing. When the Co-op moved its Williamson Street
store to its current location in 1999, it sold $443,000 in Bonds to help finance that project.
"When we've sold $600,000 worth of Bonds," said Anya Firszt, the Co-op's General
Manager, "we will have cleared the last major hurdle on the way to opening the store."
Willy Street Co-op held its first event at the Middleton site on Saturday, April 3rd. The “Willy
West Welcome” was attended by approximately 300 people who asked questions, picked
up informational materials and bought a $5 brat lunch, the proceeds of which benefited the
Bock Community Garden’s Plant-a-Row-for-the-Hungry program.
The Co-op plans to hold more informational meetings and events throughout the westside
over coming months. Construction on the space began in April, and the store is slated to
open in October of this year.
The Co-op expects to add 95 jobs and will hold a job fair in the fall.
Willy Street Co-op is Madison's largest consumer-owned natural foods store, offering the
finest organic and locally-produced foods since 1974, including produce, dairy, packaged
grocery, vitamins and supplements, and a deli that features homemade soups, salads and
dinners. The Co-op's buyers are committed to supporting local growers and producers. The
Co-op believes that a sustainable local economy is vital to the health and well-being of all
eaters in the community.
Anyone can shop at the Co-op, and everyone is welcome to join and become an Owner.
Membership provides the capital to operate and improve the Co-op. For more information
on Willy Street Co-op, please visit www.willystreet.coop.
Willy Street Co-op will bring its organic food
selections to Middleton through its second store
selections to Middleton through its second store
By Brendon Smith
On March 26th, Willy Street Grocery Co-op (WSGC) took another giant
step toward the opening of its second store when its Board of Directors
President George Hofheimer and General Manager Anya Firszt signed a
15-year lease for 6825 University Avenue in Middleton. The lease
signing followed a 15-day period when the Co-op shared details on the
new site with its Owners.
"The Board received such overwhelming support and encouragement
from current Willy Street Co-op owners, prospective owners and
community members to pursue this project," Hofheimer said. "We are
ready, willing and extremely excited to bring local and organic food
options to another neighborhood in Dane County."
On March 26th, Willy Street Grocery Co-op (WSGC) took another giant
step toward the opening of its second store when its Board of Directors
President George Hofheimer and General Manager Anya Firszt signed a
15-year lease for 6825 University Avenue in Middleton. The lease
signing followed a 15-day period when the Co-op shared details on the
new site with its Owners.
"The Board received such overwhelming support and encouragement
from current Willy Street Co-op owners, prospective owners and
community members to pursue this project," Hofheimer said. "We are
ready, willing and extremely excited to bring local and organic food
options to another neighborhood in Dane County."
"Willy West Welcome" sign and
Middleton folks
Middleton folks
Willy Street Co-op's Welcome Tent