Fiscal year 2007 was an eventful year for the Willy Street Co-op. A new store location was selected and building plans were drawn up, a major reworking of their website was developed, and the Co-op was reclassified as an "Extra Large" store (up from "Large") by the National Cooperative Grocers Association. In addition, a new purchasing agreement with their largest natural foods supplier was negotiated which will result in lower prices for members.

The financial report showed solid growth with sales increasing 4.24% year over year. Sales growth for FY 2006 was 9.83% and 13.74% for FY 2005. Finance Manager Gene Hahn noted that this indicates that, while strong, sales growth is beginning to slow down at their current location. Net income was $181,000 on sales of $15,131,773. Other financial highlights include $1,239,601 held in cash, an increase of $457,178 since last year which should put the Co-op in a strong position to support the expansion plans.

A month after it's debut, Dane101 revisits Madison's newest market for an inside visit with owner Megan Ramey

Madison native Megan Ramey always knew she would be opening a business of her own one day. The question remained: how was she going to combine her passions for fashion, hospitality, culinary, and the unique Madison community into one? Simple: an urban lifestyles store. Something very new, and unique that the city of Madison has long been awaiting.

Her idea for a modern, sophisticated convenience store sparked as Ramey made her daily pedestrian commute to work. She realized there really was no all-in-one, contemporary store for the young urbanite to make any necessary purchases. Daily, Ramey was finding herself wanting something "quick and fresh to eat," but there was "nothing that catered to young professionals."

What do freshly prepared sushi, Swindle Magazine, and a vintage Peugeot bicycle have in common? All are items one will find at MoCo Market, the “modern twist on the general store” opening today at 804 Williamson Street. ‘Mo’ stands for “modern” while ‘Co’ represents three core concepts behind the store: convenience, community, and connection. Owner Megan Ramey, along with merchandise manager Jodi Meier, and eight employees, strive to “arouse and equip the life of the urban dweller through fresh and unique convenience that is also socially and environmentally responsible.” Megan and Jodi met during Ramey’s 4 year stint merchandising at Lands End. Currently Ramey is in the homestretch of UW-Madison’s MBA program—with 15 years of experience in food service and retail management, she cites two classes at the UW as her biggest influences: Deborah Mitchell’s class in marketing and communications, and a class in ethics and sustainability that has obviously influenced many of the ideas behind this innovative new venture.

In my three years living in Madison I always felt one of the top 10 things the city lacked in regards to food was a solid New York style bagel shop. In just a few weeks Madison may be getting just that (taste, smell, and visual tests will be required to verify if they truly are New York Style). Anyone who frequents the Mercury Cafe, Bartell Theatre, or Cafe Montmartre has probably noted all of the coming and goings at the store front formerly occupied by a deli. We haven't been able to get a firm opening date from any of those busy bees, but the sign went up this weekend, so we know it can't be too far off. The news of the opening of Gotham New York Bagels and Eats was actually broken by Brad over at Letters in Bottles back in January. He quoted a Business Watch article that reveals:

More than a year ago I wrote an article on Dane101 analyzing what could happen if Trader Joe's opened in Monroe Commons. I thought I was fairly even handed while taking a look at the store, but it somehow earned Dane101 the title of being part of the "loony left" by the knee-jerk reactionists over at Dummocrats. I suggested Trader Joe's could receive a similar reception to Whole Foods by labor activists who feel the store should be unionized. Nowhere did I actually say I thought Trader Joe's should be a union shop. In fact, I praised the stores treatment and pay scale for workers as it is in fact better then the workers would get paid at union scale.

Anyway, the criticism concerned the suits in publishing here at Dane101. My explanation that the English language can sometimes be confusing just didn't fly, so in order to defend ourselves from the deeply analyzed and thought out counterpoint by the Dummocrats the suits felt an investigation was in order. Last September they tossed me and a traveling companion in the corporate cargo plane and sent me to the Northern tip of California's Pacific Coast Highway. My orders, travel down the PCH and find out what this whole Trader Joe's thing is all about. Now that we have confirmation that Trader Joe's will be cutting ribbon in late October, the story can finally be told.

I have at least a handful of friends who seem to be afraid of the Willy St. Co-op... they either think it will be so obvious they are non-members, and then "all the diehard hippies" will notice them as if they had red flags sticking up all over the place, or they think all the food is weird and they wouldn't be able to find anything they would like. I have told them both thoughts are ridiculous, but I will say it again now - in writing - that it is just absurd to be wary of a co-op, and especially for those reasons.

The Co-op isn't just a grocery store, they also have a juice bar and bakery, deli, and salad bar. I have not tried anything from the juice bar or bakery, but the deli and salad bars always have a great selection (with many vegan options). Some things offered can be a little pricey, but you can usually find something tasty in a reasonable price range.

Jimmy the Prognosticator might have been off, but there's a sure sign that spring has arrived in Madison. The Capitol Square filled quickly this morning for the beginning of the 25th year of the Dane County Farmer's Market, which runs Saturdays from April 22nd through November 4 and Wednesdays from April 26th through November 1st. Check out dane101's flickr photostream for all of the pictures.

Begun in 1972 by then mayor Bill Dyke as a means to connect city dwellers with local agricultural growers, the Farmer's Market has evolved into a mixture of local agriculture, art and activism.

Another (maybe not so locally owned as previously thought, see comments below - thanks my fact checking friend - however, open for 29 years says something) business has closed on State Street. The Den, previously located at 74 University Square and 555 State St., was one of many convenience stores offering common dorm room needs for college students on campus. In addition, the store carried a heavy selection of Wisconsin souvenirs (much like many businesses on our infamous pedestrian - bike - big truck - bus street). The Den was probably most well known to those passing by for their at times creative displays in the window promoting new CD releases. The store also boasted 59-minute photo developing. In case you had dropped off a roll, don't worry, the Den passed them on to the Stop and Shop at 501 State Street. The Den will now join other recent additions in the State Street graveyard including Roses-R-Red, Canterbury Books, Dancing Bean Coffee House and Peacemeal. Now the waiting game begins to find out what chain store or chain restaurant will move in to take its place and blot out another small piece of State Street character.

For fans of Roald Dahl and his delightfully deranged children's books, the impending release of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory adaptation by Tim Burton and Johnny Depp in three weeks isn't coming soon enough. Though the 1971 Gene Wilder film stands on its own as a classic, the new adaptation promises close adherence to the book. One example of this is the restoration of squirrels (instead of geese) as the creature du jour for Veruca Salt's culminating tantrum. Another is the name of the film itself, mirroring the book. Indeed, a clip included in the trailer suggests that the film hopefully sets up the sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

Two weeks ago, David Medaris reported on a promotion for the upcoming film at twee & luliloo, purveyors of "ooey, chocolate, gooey, chewy, yummy…"

twee & luliloo is randomly placing a number of Golden Tickets into chocolate bars sold there. These tickets are redeemable for a free pass to the movie at Eastgate and Point, when it opens on July 15. This candyarium was founded by a trio who "noticed a lack of sweet shops area," who subsequently "ventured into the candy business with their sweet tooth to guide them." One of the owners, Agape Hammond, spoke with Dane101 this evening about the promotion.

Medaris asked;

The interview with Hammond is below the fold.

(ed. note: New story concerning Trader Joe's published in August of 2006, read it by clicking here)

It looks more like it could be Trader Joe's for Monroe Commons now that the Willy St. Co-op officially bowed out Monday night.

The Co-op has been seeking a second location and was considering a move to the location previously occupied by the Ken Kopp's Grocery. Anya Firszt, general manager of the Co-op told the WSJ that the asking price was too high.

A new regional zine named Yum! Yum! Yum debuted at the beginning of April, publishing and distributing a 24-page issue. Devoted to food and farming issues, and produced from the Madison Infoshop, it is currently soliciting contributions for its second issue, due out at the beginning of May.

According to an announcement about the zine and its search for contributors, "most anything is welcome as long as it relates to the growing, processing, distribution, consumption and enjoyment of food. Obviously, we're especially keen to receive locally oriented material – for instance, home-grown recipes, report-backs from relevant events, bad food-induced rants or good food inspired accolades, low-tech permaculture designs, artwork, poetry, opinion, etc."

The print-only zine includes a variety of articles, recipes, quotes, and press clips relating to corporate food concerns and home-grown solutions, but what is most useful are its calendar items.

In morning air of near-freezing temperatures, Dane101 took a stroll around the Capitol Square earlier today, taking a look at the first outdoor Dane County Farmers' Market of 2005. At its highest days in summer and autumn, the counterclockwise loop around the Capitol is packed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder by nine-thirty/ten in the morning. Today, however, it was considerably less crowded at that time, probably owing to the unseasonably cold temperatures.

Founded in 1972, the DCFM is beginning its thirty-fourth year of operation. The market's website has a listing of when various foods are in season; this was clearly in evidence today with most of the meat and cheese vendor in attendance, but fewer veggie farmers, especially those with greens. Asparagus and tulips were the primary forms of plant life for sale, with throngs of shoppers crowding around the asparagus bins. This is in fact confirmed by the "What's new?" section of the market's website, which predicts a good asparagus crop due to the warmer weather in the last few weeks.

An extended slideshow of today's market comes below the fold.

A new tool for aggregated networking can locate independently-owned coffee shops anywhere in the country, all via a simple zip code entry. Named Delocator, the website is a user-driven project designed to promote independent commerce, or as its creators describe it, "a defense mechanism for independent business establishments," by creating "complex competition analysis." In the case of Delocator, the defense is against Starbucks.

As the site describes its intentions,

Launched on April 1, the site already includes numerous independent coffee shops in the Madison area. A search on the downtown 53703 zip code already offers info about eleven local coffee shops, as well as the locations of four Starbucks. The locals include Electric Earth Café, Ancora, Michaelangelo's, Ground Zero, In the Company of Thieves, Mother Fool's, Fair Trade Coffee, EVP, Café Zoma, Cargo Coffee, and Muddy Waters. Information about these merchants includes a variety of information including "location, hours, open mic. nights, local artist exhibits, book readings, wireless internet service availability, organic and/or vegetarian food options, etc."

The Fauerbach Brewery, an old-time Madison institution that passed away decades ago, is set to start making beer again soon.

The story is covered in today's Isthmus, which (unfortunately) does not put its stories up online. As reported by David Medaris, "David, Neil and Peter Fauerbach are about to revive the family breweing legacy that dates to 1848." The article describes the three Fauerbach's interest in reviving their family legacy, and the process they have undertaken recently in order to bring Fauerbach beers back to Madison.

The old brewery, which once sat on the downtown entrance of Willy St. fronting Lake Monona, will not be rebuilt. Rather, the three Fauerbachs will be contracting their production with Gray's Brewing, which is based in Janesville.

As reported in today's Cap Times by Mike Ivey, the Willy Street Co-op is opening a new kitchen a few blocks from its current space on Williamson. The kitchen is on 1882 E. Main St., fronting the area of land envisioned to become the new eastside central park. The April Willy St. Co-op newsletter announces the opening here.

Ivey reports the kitchen "will provide the grocery with a variety of hot and cold food items. Since moving into its new space in 1999, the co-op has seen a doubling in membership, creating a need for more production space."