by Anya Firszt, General Manager
Welcome July; hello dear Owners. I am finishing writing this report on the summer solstice and there is music in the air with people heading out to Make Music Madison front yard, school yard, and back porch events throughout the community. Ah. Summer.
Wellness Wednesday Returns
We are kicking the month off with the return of Wellness Wednesday on July 7. This is your chance to stock up and save 10% on your wellness and bodycare product purchases on this day. See the ad on the back cover for what is all included in this Owner-only discount.
Our New Fiscal Year
July also marks the beginning of our new fiscal year and the first order of business is to close the last one. We will share preliminary year-end numbers at the 2021 Annual Meeting (via Zoom at 5:30pm on July 8), and audited financials will be reported following the annual audit and Board approval in early fall.
At the beginning of last fiscal year we were in the throes of the pandemic with facemask-wearing, social distancing, and capacity limits. So much has changed in our world in the last twelve months, and we now find ourselves at a turning point with light at the end of the tunnel and I, for one, have high hopes for a kinder and gentler fiscal year to come. Please read the article “COVID-19 Progressing Toward Recovery” by Kirsten Moore, Cooperative Services Director, included in this issue on page 17.
This fiscal year we are focusing on sales and margin recovery to support an improved fiscal outlook and return to profitability. We will continue to do our part in matching expenses to revenue, as well as adjusting to the new grocery landscape resulting from the pandemic. We are in the process of rebuilding the prepared foods program, which changed significantly over the last 15 months, with enhanced EatStreet offerings, and reopening our Juice & Coffee Bars and our olive bars. We plan to also rearrange some grocery and/or packaged goods departments (e.g.: bulk and refrigerated grocery) to provide the products people now want vs. what we have traditionally carried.
Outdoor Seating is Back
And, finally, by now our outdoor seating has reopened and we are in the process of adding back customer use of the Commons at each store, as well as Community Room use at Willy East and West. If you get a chance, check out the patio furniture at Willy East. It’s made of POLYWOOD, a sustainable “lumber” composed almost entirely of recycled plastic.
Annual Meeting and Board Elections
Our 2021 Annual Meeting is scheduled for July 8 beginning at 5:30pm. So, mark your calendar and plan to attend to hear highlights from last fiscal year, meet the candidates running for the Board of Directors, and enter to win a cool prize! This event is virtual and registration is required, check www.willystreet.coop/2021-annual-meeting.
Our Board elections are also hosted this month. I encourage you all to participate in the 2021 Board Election Vote! The Board candidate statements are included in this issue of the Reader, and posted in the store on and online. Again, the Board candidates will be introduced at the 2021 Annual Meeting and results of the vote will be announced at the July 21 Special Owner Meeting.
I look forward to seeing you in person now that things have eased up and capacity limits have ended.
Special store hours: Independence Day, July 4
In case you might head into the store to shop on the 4th, please take note that our stores are open until 4:30pm on Sunday, July 4.
On Monday, July 5th we are open regular hours; 7:30am-9:00pm.
Until next month...