by: Anya Firszt, General Manager
Hello Co-op Owners. December—the final month of the year, and the end of the first half of our fiscal year.
This month offers several reasons to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, the Solstice, and, of course, New Year’s Eve. No matter how you choose to celebrate this season, the Co-op is here to assist you with your holiday gatherings and gift-giving needs. We can fill your pantry with baking supplies and the ingredients you need to share joy and good cheer with your friends and family. Come in and see what we have to offer—you’ll love the sights and smells that await you!
Additionally, please share what you can with those who are facing the harsh effects of limited or no resources. We encourage you to consider making a contribution of food, money, or your time to one of the food pantries we have partnered with, including the Fritz Food Pantry, Lussier Community Education Center, River Food Pantry, WayForward Resources, and Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. Thank you for your generosity.
FY25 Patronage
We are excited to announce that we can offer patronage refunds for the fiscal year 2025 to you, our Owners.
- Cooperative Principle 3: Member Economic Participation: “Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.”
Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) ran June 30, 2024–June 29, 2025, and was a profitable year. We had net income of $579,723 before provision for income taxes. This surplus allowed us to continue to operate on a sound financial basis, and return a portion of the profit to Owners. We greatly appreciate your part in making it a successful year for your Co-op!
Per bylaw 6.5, your Board of Directors has voted to allocate part of the surplus, or profit, as a patronage refund, a portion of which will be distributed as a store credit. This year’s patronage refund is a combination of 60% retained patronage equity, which is money held by the Co-op in each Owner’s name; the rest, 40%, will be issued as a store credit beginning in January 2026. The 60% of total patronage that is retained is reinvested in the Co-op and helps to secure our long-term financial health.
Those who are being issued a store credit will receive an email or a letter in the mail between January 5 and 14 detailing your refund. Store credits will be available (for Owners receiving one) at the registers starting on January 12. You may apply the credit towards a purchase, request cash back, or donate it to the Double Dollars program. To ensure that only the primary (or secondary, for household accounts) Owner uses credits, you will be asked to sign for the refund. If you request your store credit to be paid out as cash, you will be asked for a photo ID. All patronage store credits must be used by June 28, 2026.
If you prefer to receive notification via email, make sure we have your current email address, which can be updated at Customer Service or via an email to ora@willystreet.coop.
Annual Report
The FY25 Annual Report will be available for your review this month. Whether you receive it electronically or via USPS, please take a moment to read about our many accomplishments last fiscal year and feel proud of your role in our continued success.
Co-op Gift Cards
Do you have any unused Co-op gift cards saved for later? We encourage you to locate them and either use them or exchange them for a new card. The old ones can’t be used at the registers like the new ones can!
2026 Community Reinvestment Fund
It’s time again when we look forward to receiving proposals for the Community Reinvestment Fund annual granting cycle. Applications are available starting December 1st and are due by January 15th (two weeks before the deadline from last year). Find more information at: willystreet.coop/crf.
These grants are funded through abandoned and donated equity. The funds are deposited into a separate foundation held in our name and are withdrawn to support qualified 501(c)3 nonprofits and cooperatives incorporated under Wis. Statute 185.
This year, the Co-op will award a total of $85,000 in grant money to selected recipients. $20,000 of that will be set aside for up to two recipients specifically for larger capital purchases or investments that will support our local food system.
Dane Arts Holiday Market
Visit Aubergine, located at 1226 Williamson Street, for the Dane Arts Holiday Pop-up event on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 8pm and Saturday, December 6, from 11am to 4pm. You’ll discover handcrafted holiday gifts that are sure to delight your friends and family.
Special Store Hours
- 12/24 (Christmas Eve) closing at 6pm
- 12/25 (Christmas Day) closed
- 12/31 (New Year’s Eve) regular hours (7:30am–9:00pm)
- January 1 (New Year’s Day) closed
Wishing you cheerful holidays that end the year joyfully and welcome a happy new year.
-Anya
