Welcome to our Members Only video series, where we interview clients about the impact of shared ownership and the cooperative business model. Come along to hear from owners and cooperators about their challenges and experiences.

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In the fourth installment of our International Year of Cooperatives series, Jason Wiener speaks with Kate Smith and Claire Christensen of Gimme Coffee, the Ithaca, NY-based café and roaster celebrating its 25th anniversary. They reflect on Gimme’s evolution from a neighborhood coffee shop into a multi-location business deeply rooted in its local community.

That commitment to place shaped a pivotal moment in 2019, when the founder prepared to retire. Rather than selling to a large coffee conglomerate, Gimme explored an employee ownership conversion to keep the business local. Kate and Claire describe how the process began with a feasibility study in early 2020, adding complexity during an already uncertain time. Early reactions from workers ranged from excitement to confusion, particularly around how a worker cooperative actually functions.

Much of the conversation focuses on what running a cooperative looks like in practice. Kate explains that one of the biggest ongoing challenges is helping members understand the distinction between operations and governance. Gimme has addressed this through clearer decision-making structures, a board of directors, and committees that involve workers more directly in ownership responsibilities.

The shift to worker ownership also prompted a broader reframing of the business. After the transition, Gimme updated its mission and values to focus not just on coffee, but on being a great place to work. That emphasis has led to more intentional benefits, stronger workplace standards, and a culture centered on safety and belonging.

Kate and Claire also reflect on the wider impact of being a cooperative, both locally and nationally. While communicating the model in a college town remains a challenge, Gimme has become a point of connection for other businesses and coffee shop owners interested in worker ownership.

As part of the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, this conversation highlights how cooperatives offer a grounded alternative to traditional business models by centering people, community, and long-term sustainability.

👉 Watch the full interview on JWPC’s YouTube channel.