To those who have lost their way among the student flats and aging houses that rest between Broom and Bedford Streets, the colorful mural adorning the Mifflin Street Co-op, 32 N. Bassett St., serves as a welcomed reference point. As one of three Madison grocery co-ops near campus, including the Regent Street Co-op, 2136 Regent St., and the Willy Street Co-op, 1209 Williamson St., the Mifflin Street Co-op opened in 1969 and is perhaps the neighborhood's most recognizable and prominent landmark.
Many grocery co-ops offer a variety of organic foods and all-natural consumer goods, in addition to some types of conventional products. According to Justin Mog, a shift worker at the Mifflin Street Co-op, grocery co-ops are governed by a unique philosophy.
\Co-op means cooperative, which means the institution, the organization, in this case a grocery store, is owned by the members collectively,"" Mog said. ""The store is not trying to make profits for its owners, like a conventional business. Rather, its purpose is to improve the community through a service: offering quality food at affordable prices.""
Though non-members may shop at co-ops, membership dues entitle patrons to discounts and a vote at general meetings. A reciprocity agreement between establishments allows in-store benefits to be enjoyed by any patron who is a member of a Madison grocery co-op.
Store expansion and relocation have been topics of discussion at many co-op membership meetings. Willy Street Co-op assistant store manager Wynston Estis stressed the grocery's speculated expansion to Monroe Street had not yet been finalized, while Board of Directors Treasurer Megan Christensen cited the previous years' audit to explain the need for change.
""We're turning over our inventory in a little less than 12 days,"" Christensen said, noting the standard inventory turnover for grocery co-ops is 16 days. ""I think for student [shoppers], the expansion would relieve pressure.""
Members of the Mifflin Street Co-op recently considered a move to the newly constructed Metropolitan Place, but the cost and size of the new location were deemed prohibitive and the proposition was ultimately rejected.
""Mifflin Street is looking at staying alive,"" Mog said. ""We are in a much more insecure place than Willy Street is ... we're a much smaller operation.""
Not all co-ops experience universal success in attracting university students. While Jim Huberty, manager of the Regent Street Co-op, expressed interest in better targeting potential college-aged shoppers, he emphasized the consumer's right to free selection was paramount.
""The bottom line is our members shop here to support the fact we exist here,"" Huberty said. ""If we don't exist here, it takes one more choice away from the customer.""
Beth Fallon, a UW-Madison senior and patron of the Mifflin Street Co-op, appreciated the store's efforts to sell locally-farmed produce.
""People here invest in each other,"" Fallon said. ""It's a great way to come together over food.""
