By: Anya Firszt, General Manager
Hello folks. For the Co-op, June marks the end of the current fiscal year. It can be a very busy month between wrapping up this year’s special projects and finalizing the FY26 Operating and Capital Budgets; we have a lot going on. Currently, the Co-op is celebrating sales that are higher than budgeted and expenses close to budget, which is a good thing! Look for updates later this summer or early fall on our FY25 financial performance.
June also includes a number of reasons to celebrate along with a holiday or two, from the start of summer and the solstice and the end of school to Pride Month and Juneteenth to Father’s Day, there’s something for nearly everyone. If eating is on the menu, we have whatever you need to make your celebration a hit.
Willy East Refrigeration Project
Heads up: after 25 years, it’s time to replace the freezer-door run, produce cases, and egg refrigerated case at our east location. This project is scheduled in the last half of July and requires that the store is closed for five days to get the work done. Wow. In addition to replacing these cases, we are upgrading the current refrigerant with a lower environmental impact/eco-friendly refrigerant. Look for details in next month’s Reader or project timeline updates posted on the website. Willy North and Willy West will be open regular hours during this project. Thanks in advance for your patience while we work on this important upgrade to our east location.
Board Elections
The Board annual elections are not happening until October, so you still have time to think about running for the Board of Directors. We will have three vacant seats that need to be filled in this election cycle. To learn more about the Board elections process, the Board Candidate Packet, related deadlines, and requirements to run, please read the Board Article included in this issue of the Reader. You can also review the full document at willystreet.coop/run-for-board or pick one up by the Owner Resources Area in any of the three stores.
Neighborhood music festivals on the near horizon
This month, you can enjoy the Marquette Waterfront Festival celebrating its 36th year of bringing live music to the near east side of Madison the weekend of June 14–15 at Yahara Place Park. The following week, June 19–22, is the 2025 Sessions at Garver Feed Mill. A new venue for this event with indoor and outdoor performances—the line up of musicians is sure to delight. Check it out.
Next month, La Fête de Marquette celebrates its 19th year of bringing live music, delicious food, and community spirit to Madison’s east side, July 10–13 at McPike Park. And, the last week of July, don’t miss AtwoodFest, July 26–27, on Atwood Avenue between Monty’s Blue Plate and Tex Tub’s. You’ll find music, food, and crafts. See you out and about!
Special Store Hours
- Sunday, June 29 – closing at 7pm – Year End Inventory
- Friday, July 4 – closing at 7pm – Independence Day
- July dates TBA – Willy East is CLOSED for a refrigeration project
That’s all for now folks!
Until next month,
Anya
