dEMOCRACY bREWING

Written by James Razsa

Founders: James Razsa and Jason Taggart
Industry: Hospitality (Brewery, Restaurant and Event Space)
Website: www.democracybrewing.com

In one sentence, how would you describe your cooperative?
We are a worker cooperative brewery, restaurant and event space with two locations in Boston and a third on the way in Maine.

What is the mission of your cooperative and what do you hope to achieve?
Democracy Brewing aims to provide meaningful, engaging, and dignified employment with paths to co-ownership for staff members from all backgrounds.

What are the types of member classes in your cooperative?
We are strictly a worker cooperative but have a lot of amazing investors!

What are the benefits for individuals/businesses who become members of your coop?
We offer a path to ownership for all staff after one year, provided they take classes on open book management and teamwork. Ownership entitles owners to an equal share of profits as well as the right to vote on important decisions and serve on the Board of Directors. The most popular benefit we offer is free English classes for everyone who wants them.

How do you keep things fun and exciting for your members while still running a business?
The most important thing for everything we do is creating the right culture. We strive to create the best culture of teamwork possible, and this attracts and retains the best people. Teamwork might sound like a boring answer, but in my experience, it’s what makes coming to work a pleasure, makes democracy possible, and sees you through the toughest times.

What challenges have you faced in running your cooperative?
Not a shock, but Covid was devastating for us, like most hospitality businesses. Furthermore, our Downtown location was heavily dependent on office workers and Downtown Boston is still at 75% of its pre-covid foot traffic.

What makes your cooperative stand out in terms of services/products?
Best food and beer in Boston! Not that I’m biased at all.

If your cooperative had a theme song, what would it be?
“Momma Said Knock You Out,” by LL Cool J.

How is your coop helping to “Build a Better World?”
The world is being destroyed by concentrated wealth. We are democratizing the place where that wealth is stolen – the workplace. We are proud to prove to our 75,000 annual customers that democracy in the workplace is not only possible, but delicious…and even fun!

 

Each month in 2025 we will spotlight a different cooperative as part of our celebration and support for the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives.