By: Dan Streit, Board Member
Ownership Matters!
The last time you paid for your groceries at one of the Co-op’s three locations, the staff person working at the cash register probably asked, “Are you an Owner?” If you’re an Owner, you might have rattled off your Owner number and name without thinking too much about what that number means. If you’re not an Owner, did you consider joining the Co-op when the staff person asked?
Willy Street Co-op’s Board of Directors acts on behalf of the collective interests of the Co-op’s 34,431 Owners. In this role, we want to both help current Owners maximize the value of their investment in the Co-op and encourage more community members to become Owners. But why does ownership matter?
Owners pay less for groceries. Owners who shop regularly at the Co-op will save about $106 per year through Owner sales and discounts. Since you can become an Owner for only $10 per year, most people will quickly recoup the cost of joining by paying less for their groceries.
Earn a return on your investment. When the Co-op has a profitable year, the Board may authorize a patronage dividend to be paid to Owners. The amount of the dividend is generally based on how much each Owner shopped at the Co-op during the past year and is distributed as store credit. Owners can apply this credit to their bill the next time that they visit the Co-op. When the Co-op wins, Owners win!
Invest in your community. Willy Street Co-op is a cornerstone of Dane County’s vibrant local food system and its robust local economy. Farmers and food producers in the area rely on the Co-op to sell their products and shoppers love that they can always find healthy, locally-grown food at the Co-op. Additionally, the Co-op sponsors community events and issues grants for projects that make our community stronger. Becoming an Owner of Willy Street Co-op helps the Co-op continue to do this good work.
Strengthen the Co-op. The financial investment that Owners make in the Co-op increases Willy Street Co-op’s equity. More equity for the Co-op means that Willy Street is better positioned to invest in its stores and equipment, leading to an improved shopping experience for everyone.
Being an Owner of the Co-op is important and is a great financial investment. The Board of Directors is extremely grateful to the Co-op’s 34,431 current Owners for the investments that they make in the Co-op. If you are not yet an Owner, please consider stopping by the Customer Service desk and joining the Co-op the next time you’re at the store, or visit willystreet.coop/ownership. You will be glad that you did!
