We are on a very exciting path and we invite you to join us.  After 10 years of operating  with many co-op values, we are actually BECOMING a co-op!! This is a new beginning for The Old Creamery.  Imagine many owners instead of just two, all dedicated to retaining local jobs, sourcing food from local growers, producers and suppliers, acting on shared community values, and fostering connection and cooperation between people, business, towns and organizations. 

The past 10 years of Creamery ownership have been among the richest and deeply cherished of our lives.  We have shaped a business, but more importantly we have helped shape a community.  We are very blessed to have developed countless personal relationships and loving friends that also happen to be supportive customers.  But an even greater treasure for us is to see, every day, how the Old Creamery facilitates an ever-expanding network of additional friendships and connections throughout the Hilltowns.  We believe the Creamery can be this kind of community place for generations to come.  Last year it became clear to us that we don’t have the financial, physical, and emotional resources necessary to continue with the current ownership and operating model AND ensure the stable continuity of this valuable community resource.  However, we continue to be committed to a thriving and dynamic Creamery that continues to serve and respond to the needs of this community.  The vision of a community owned cooperative has re-energized us.  The incredible and generous offers of time, energy, and support over these past months have led us to believe that you all are also excited and energized.  Your energy, excitement, and generosity are a strong foundation for the emerging Co-op. 

Our Co-op Steering Committee has been hard at work since February.  Together we have created a functioning structure for the Committee.  We have begun the work of drafting a business plan, created many financial spreadsheets, analyses, and projections, written a baseline historical report of business practices and policies, building and grounds improvements, and recommendations for the future of the business, and drafted estimates for purchase and start-up costs.  We have received an architect’s assessment of the property and advice on approaches to future improvements.  We have created and filed the articles of incorporation, finalized our interim bylaws, adopted a conflict of interest policy, and conducted preliminary research on liquor license transfer.  We have determined the member-owner costs and benefits and created a brochure to invite founding member-owners.  Just as the list of what we have accomplished goes on and on, the list of what yet needs to be done also grows.  But our keen collective focus keeps us moving forward. 

We now feel confident that with the support of the community we can successfully transition the Old Creamery to the cooperatively owned Old Creamery Co-op. 

We incorporated The Old Creamery Co-op in mid July.  We are now ready to sign up founding Member-Owners, with a goal of signing up at least 300 of you by the end of this year.  We are Owners #1 and #2!  We each bought a membership to support the new Co-op and to allow us each the right to vote. 

The Co-op Steering Committee will start raising additional financing from private fundraising and member-owner loans.  When adequate capital has been raised we will be able to secure the remaining financing from local banks and cooperative lending institutions, and the Co-op will purchase the business, inventory, and real estate.  The Old Creamery Co-op will then become the new owner. 

The Board of Directors, elected by the member-owners, will establish governing policies that ensure the Co-op meets its mission.  The Board will supervise the General Manager (Alice) who will work with the Old Creamery staff, doing what we have done so well:  performing our jobs to serve our community.

We feel that this model will ensure the stability of the business we all value, and allow the Creamery to continue to offer a great selection of products at reasonable prices, initiate policies and programs to reduce our environmental impact, focus on community building, service, and education, and support our local economy. 

As always, thank you for your support, your kindness, and your business.  Our lives are so much richer for the presence of all of you.  From our hearts, thank you.

                                                                                    Alice & Amy