01.22.2024

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Today’s Forecast

33º | Cloudy | 16% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:22 a.m. | Sunset 4:55 p.m.

🛒 Grocery store galore

Gooh Grocery is now open on Madison’s East side

Exterior shot of Gooh Grocery, a white brick building with green awnings.

Gooh Grocery is in the building that was once home to Visions. | Photo by 608today

Gooh Grocery (pronounced “go-oh”) is now open at 3554 E. Washington Ave. in Madison. The 3,200-sqft store features food options that are culturally relevant to the surrounding community, which includes West African, Hmong, and Latino residents.

The area was considered a food desert before Jerreh Kujabi and Samba Baldeh chose to turn this former strip club into an affordable and accessible resource for people in the surrounding neighborhoods. Previously, grocery options were limited to Hy-Vee — which is across East Washington Avenue and I-90, not ideal for those on foot — and a Kwik Trip.

Interior shots of Gooh Grocery store — We stopped by to check out the store. | Photo by 608today

“We intend to work with all the state and city agencies that provide food stamps ... so that the food is not only accessible by proximity but also by affordability,” says Baldeh.

While the store is now open to the public, a ceremonial grand opening is in the works to celebrate the neighborhood’s new addition.

🗓️ Coming soon

On the other side of town, Maurer’s Urban Market is preparing to open next door to the soon-to-close Pick ‘n Save on South Park Street. To ensure the South side does not go without access to fresh food, the city purchased space from the Truman Olsen development project to offer a 15-year lease to Kristie Maurer of Maurer’s Urban Market.

Aeriel-view rendering of what Maurer's Urban Market will look like on South Park Street — Here, you can see the development’s location in relation to the current Pick ‘n Save store. | Rendering via Rule Enterprises, LLC

Maurer is eager to bring healthy food options to the neighborhood. “I am beyond excited to be branching out on my own and creating a local, woman-owned grocery store,” says the second-generation grocer.

The 24,000-sqft store will be located on the base floor of the 1402 S. Park St. development. Though no firm opening date has been set, Maurer is hoping to open before 2025.

More Gooh photos

Events

Monday, Jan. 22

We Read to a Dog | Monday, Jan. 22 | 3-4 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Kids are invited to read aloud to a furry friend from Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Personal Branding in the Age of AI | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 12-1 p.m. | DreamBank - American Family Insurance, 821 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Discover how to use AI to your advantage as you grow the business of your dreams.
Lights Out! | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | MMSD Planetarium, 201 S. Gammon Rd., Madison | $6-$9 | Hear fascinating eclipse stories and learn about satellite monitoring.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Quality of Life Committee | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 8-9 a.m. | Virtual | Free | A presentation and discussion on Madison Metropolitan School District student and staff support.
Geezer Gamers | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 12:30-5 p.m. | Noble Knight Gaming Hall, 2835 Commerce Park Dr., Fitchburg | Free | Whether you’re a retiree, late-shift worker, or just have a free afternoon, stop by for casual tabletop gaming.

Thursday, Jan. 25

Rings and Rosé | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Soha Diamond Co., 301 W. Beltline Hwy., Fitchburg | Free | Check out the new space and get inspired for your dream engagement ring.
Sip, Sample, and Socialize | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton | $80-$90 | Join local business professionals for fine foods and a bevy of beverages.

Friday, Jan. 26

DCHS After Dark | Friday, Jan. 26 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Rd., Madison | $25 | The theme is “Future Veterinarians” for this event geared toward kids ages 7-12.
James Kennedy | Friday, Jan. 26 | 9 p.m. | Liquid Madison, 624 University Ave., Madison | $35-$40 | Calling all “Vanderpump Rules” fans, the No. 1 guy in the group will play a set in Madison.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Edu

The construction that has taken over Madison high schools for almost two years is more than 80% complete. With the pandemic and inflation, there were unexpected challenges. Funded by a $317 million facilities referendum, Madison East, West, Memorial, and La Follette high schools have been given major facelifts. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Community

Extended Hands Food Pantry is taking a bite out of food insecurity. Dane County recently awarded the organization $425,000 to expand the community’s access to healthy, nutritious food no matter the economic circumstances. The organization plans to use the money on expanding cooler and dry good storage. (WKOW)

Cause

There’s going to be quite a tail-gate party during Super Bowl weekend. Bierock, located 2911 N. Sherman Ave., will donate 10% of its sales on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 11) to the Dane County Humane Society. There will be Puppy Bowl viewing, plus food and drink specials all day. (Channel 3000)

Open

Bird is the word. Butterbird is now open. The new casual restaurant sprung from the minds of the owners of the fabled Harvey House. Located at 1134 Regent St., the restaurant revels in all things chicken. Shaina Robbins Papach, Butterbird’s creative director and owner said, “What’s more delicious than fried chicken?” (Fox 47)

Legacy

Our condolences to the friends and family of Stephen Fleischman. Credited with transforming the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art during his nearly 30-year role as its leader, Fleischman died last weekend at the age of 69. He worked at the museum from 1991 until his retirement in 2020. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Outdoors

Dane County recently awarded a grant to Madison to improve bike infrastructure. The city received a $187,500 PARC and Ride grant to help complete a bike trail at County Grove Park. (Channel 3000)

Eat

What’s the most produced type of cheese in Wisconsin? It’s not cheddar, nor feta, or any of the Italian hard cheeses. It’s mozzarella. Our state produces nearly 1 billion pounds of it annually. (UpNorthNews)

Travel and Outdoors

👟 Walk it out

Where to get your steps in during winter in Madison

Tenney Park during the winter, benches looking out over the frozen lake while the sun rises.

Sunrises at Tenney Park are just as pretty during the winter as they are in summer. | Photo by 608today

A new study by Polish researchers suggests that walking through a snowy landscape leads to a greater sense of self-esteem. Lucky us.

While it’s different for everybody, it takes an average of 2,000 steps to walk a mile. Here are some brief walking routes for you to get your steps in no matter the weather.

Bear Mound Park loop, 2199 Vilas Ave. | 1 mile | 2,000 steps
This loop starts and ends at the easternmost end of Vilas Avenue, wrapping around Bear Mound Park.

Cherokee Marsh Bluebird loop, 6098 N. Sherman Ave. | .5 miles | 1,000 steps
Note that there are no dogs allowed at this conservation park.

Guided Arboretum hikes, 1207 Seminole Hwy. | 2-3 miles | 4,000-6,000 steps
Every weekend, guided hikes are offered which are great for multi-generational outings.

Tenney Park Breakwater, 402 N. Thorton Ave. | .25 miles | 500 steps
This brisk stroll allows for an unobstructed view of Mendota’s shoreline.

What’d we miss? Let us know.

The Buy

The Buy 1.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect sauce to celebrate National Hot Sauce Day today: Sobremesa’s Citrus Habanero Hot Sauce. This small-batch mole and salsa company combined ripe citrus with spicy habanero to make a bright, fiery sauce that tingles the taste buds.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

The highly-anticipated Butterbird is an instant favorite for me. The chicken was stellar, but the unexpected star of the show was the ice cream. I know, it’s freezing outside, but if any of you are as passionate about ice cream as I am, you’re gonna love the soft serve. Think: Culver’s, but better.

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