by Anya Firszt, General Manager
Happy 2019 everyone!
An odd number, but even an odd-numbered year can be a good one! After all, Willy Street Co-op has had a history of big things happening on odd number years, and here at the start of a brand new annum, it’s a great time to look back on some of them. It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 20 years now since Willy East expanded to our current location on Williamson Street back in 1999. This was followed by our second site in 2005, when we opened the doors to our production facility on Main Street, where our talented cooks and bakers are still hard at work preparing great products today. We can’t forget that in the year 2013, we opened our Central Office located on E. Washington Ave next to the Yahara River. And, this year (2019) we turn 45! My hope is that there are plenty of good things in store for this new odd-numbered year!
Wellness Savings this month—twice as nice
This month, the Co-op is offering Owners an additional opportunity to save 10% on your Wellness purchases. Your first chance to save is during our monthly Wellness Wednesday 10% discount promotion that falls this month on Wednesday, January 2. The second is an Any day Wellness and Bodycare Discount Coupon available for use in January allowing our Owners to save an additional 10% on your Wellness purchases. Treat yourself to additional savings by taking advantage of these great events. Cheers.
New www.willystreet.coop website launched!
Our website has been seen a complete rebirth in the last month in order to offer you even more information and details than ever before. The new website still contains the same wealth of information that you can find in the printed version of the Reader but also much more. Visit our website for daily updates, store hot bar menus, recall notices, some beautiful pictures of our sites and staff and all kinds of information about our Co-op and upcoming events. You can also sign up on the website to receive an electronic version of the newsletter, register for classes and workshops, or become a new Owner. One thing the website does not have is a listing of products. But that will return when the e-commerce site launches in the spring. Check it out and explore the new interface!
$5 Dinner
Don’t miss this month’s $5 Dinner at Willy North on Thursday, January 17 from 4 - 8 pm. Mac & cheese bar with bacon, hot dogs, broccoli and sautéed mushrooms; a green salad; and a cookie, all for $5! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Yum yum.
New Human Resources Director hired!
I would like to introduce you to our new Human Resources Director, Brian Wolhaupter. We partnered with an HR consultant to help us with a regional search to fill this vacancy. Brian started working at the Co-op in early December and brings with him a fresh set of eyes. He joins us after finishing a 30-year military career. Brian brings many years of deep experience in human resources, training and development, organizational development, and business leadership to the Co-op. Brian's background also includes retail distribution and corporate experience from time spent in two Fortune 100 companies. He is a relatively new resident to the Madison area, but has been in the southeast Wisconsin area for the last 20 years with his family.
Mid-fiscal year update
We are six months into our fiscal year. I am pleased to report sales are above budget for the year, and expenses are tracking close to budget. This month we will begin the budget planning process for our next fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2019. We will also tackle the remaining items on this year’s list of capital expenditures, from a new refrigerated and frozen meat case at Willy West, to a new liquid bulk unit and configuration as well as new flooring in the Commons at Willy East. Willy North is hoping to gain an additional 1,000 square feet of space that can be used for dedicated office and meeting space for the staff that work at that location.
Reminder that the Co-op’s FY2018 Annual Report was sent out last month to you either by printed copy or electronically. If you haven’t seen it, you can see the it on our new website: www.willystreet.coop/images/AnnualReports/FY18_ANNUAL_REPORT_WEB.pdf.
Until next month, stay warm and be well.