by Anya Firszt, General Manager
NDEAM Award
Wisconsin Secretary of Workforce Development Caleb Frostman and Deputy Secretary Joanna Richard presented Willy West Store Director Lindsey Hardy with an award recognizing the Co-op being an inclusive workplace and welcoming workers with disabilities. We are appreciative of the acknowledgment!
December is finally here!
Before we ring in the new year, we have a few holidays and events to celebrate in the four plus weeks to come.
One of my favorite events to celebrate is the winter solstice, which occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21. It is the one day of the year that has the fewest hours of sunlight, and then the earth begins its nod back towards the sun again, and like magic, we begin to have more hours of sunlight! Yippee!
This month offers a few more reasons to celebrate and make-merry; whatever and however you celebrate the holidays, the Co-op is here to help you with your holiday gatherings and gift-giving list. We have all the baking supplies and ingredients you may need to spread joy and good cheer with your friends and family. Come on in to see and smell what we have in store for you.
Who on your list is hard to buy for? Well, we have a plethora of things to choose from including a large selection of reusable eco-friendly containers, straws and Bee’s Wrap. We have puzzles and games, notebooks and cards, and felted animals too. We have local cheese and crackers, as well as locally produced beer, cider, and spirits (the spirits are only at Willy West and Willy North). Another great gift is the Zum Bar Holiday Giftpack (which contains scented soaps and such). Hope to see you in the store doing your holiday shopping!
Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report
The FY19 Annual Report has been sent to Owners! Please take a moment to review and feel good about the many wonderful things we accomplished last year. And, on page 8, you can read about this year’s budget.
Collective Bargaining Negotiations
We continue to be engaged in collective bargaining with the union that staff voted to represent them, the UE Local 1186. We will keep you posted about any agreement reached.
Special Store Hours
Please note our special store hours and closed dates:
• December 24: the retails close at 6:00pm
• December 25: closed
• December 31: stores open regular hours
• January 1: closed
Online shopping and delivery from Willy Street Co-op
Another reminder that you can shop online to save time and help make your holiday shopping easier. Find out more about store pick up or home delivery here: shop.willystreet.coop.
Anyone Can Shop, Anyone Can Join, Everyone Welcome
As we bring the calendar year to a close, we wish to recognize all of you and respect your differences and commonalities. As a reminder, it’s important for you as well as your friends, neighbors, and community members to know that regardless of gender, social, racial, political, or religious affiliation, you are welcome here. If you need assistance in the store or in our parking lot, please ask us for help, we are here for you and welcome you!
I hope you all have a wonderful end to 2019, and here’s to a happy 2020.