Willy Street Co-op Signs Lease on Second Retail Site in Middleton

Willy Street Grocery Co-op (WSGC) took another giant step toward the opening of its second store when its Board of Directors President George Hofheimer and General Manager Anya Firszt signed a 15-year lease for 6825 University Avenue in Middleton. The lease signing followed a 15-day period when the Co-op shared details on the new site with its Owners.

"The Board received such overwhelming support and encouragement from current Willy Street Co-op owners, prospective owners and community members to pursue this project," Hofheimer said. "We are ready, willing and extremely excited to bring local and organic food options to another neighborhood in Dane County."

The next step for the Co-op involves a Bond Drive. Already Owners have pledged to buy the Bonds that will help finance the project. The goal is to sell at least $600,000 worth of Bonds by May 26th, 60 days after the lease-signing. When the Co-op moved its Williamson Street store to its current location in 1999, it sold $443,000 in Bonds to help finance that project.

"When we've sold $600,000 worth of Bonds," said Anya Firszt, the Co-op's General Manager, "we will have cleared the last major hurdle on the way to opening the store."

The Co-op will celebrate with a "Willy West Welcome" on Saturday, April 3rd, from 11:30am–2:30pm at the Middleton site. Neighbors, Co-op staff and Board members and others will have the chance to meet one another and learn more about the specific plans for the site. WSGC has a rich history of participating in neighborhood activities on the Isthmus and eastside and is committed to doing the same in Middleton and the westside. At this event, the Co-op will be serving a $5 meat or vegetarian brat lunch, with all proceeds going to Bock Community Garden to support the garden's Plant-A-Row-For-The-Hungry Program.

The Co-op plans to hold more informational meetings and events throughout the westside over coming months. Construction on the space will begin in April, and the store is slated to open in October of this year.

The Co-op expects to add 95 jobs and will hold a job fair in the fall.