by Anya Firszt, General Manager
Happy New Year dear Owners! Here’s a new year quote that makes me smile:
“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” -Rainer Maria Rilke
This month, we have in store even more ways for you to save: the first Wednesday in January (January 3) is Wellness Wednesday when you will receive 15% (rather than the usual 10%) off your wellness purchases. We also have extra Owner Rewards this month. Check out the additional sale items on page 12, and see more at willystreet.coop/owner-rewards.
“Word on the Beet”
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need a little inspiration before I make my shopping list. Lately, I’ve been checking out the Co-op’s weekly “Word on the Beet” email, a weekly update that tells me what’s new in the produce department, what’s at its peak of perfection, and what is done for the season. You too can get this update; sign up for “Word on the Beet” Produce news at willystreet.coop/emails! You can unsubscribe from the emails at any time.
Operational Updates
Willy North Front End Change
Self-checkout lanes are now up and running at Willy North, which rounds out this check-out option at each of our stores.
New E-commerce Platform Launch
We have partnered with eGrowcery, an online grocery shopping service, to replace our previous online ordering program. eGrowcery offers a mobile app, which offers greater options to you for online ordering and delivery. Check it out at shop.willystreet.coop!
Aubergine, 1226 Williamson Street
The space is shaping up nicely and while we have had to push out the opening a couple of times, I am confident we will take over the space in mid-January 2024! Stay tuned for opening details to be announced.
FY23 Patronage
I want to again share with you information about our FY23 Patronage Distribution to Owners; this is another thing that sets your Co-op apart from other grocery stores.
Cooperative Principle 3: Members’ Economic Participation
“Members contribute equally 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 2023 (FY23) was a profitable year. We had net income of $452,000. This year’s patronage refund is a combination of 55% retained patronage equity, which is money held by the Co-op in each Owner’s name and the rest, 45%, will be issued as a store credit beginning in January 2024. The 55% of the total patronage that is retained is reinvested in the Co-op and helps to secure our long-term financial health.
Your Board of Directors voted to allocate part of the FY23 surplus, or profit, as a patronage refund, a portion of which will be distributed as a store credit to eligible Owners.
Those who are being issued a store credit will receive an email or a letter in the mail between January 6 and 13 detailing your refund. Store credits will be available (for Owners receiving one) at the registers starting on January 15. 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 16, 2024.
If you prefer to receive notification via email, please make sure we have your current email address, which can be updated at Customer Service or via an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thank you for your part in making FY23 a successful year for your Co-op!
Upcoming Dates of Note
January 1, 2024 (New Year’s Day): Stores closed.
January 2, 2024: stores open at 10:00am.
January 3, 2024: Wellness Wednesday, with 15% off for this one instead of the usual 10%.
I hope your New Year is off to a great start!