Shoofly Vegan Bakery Staff Cease Efforts to Buy the Business, Starting Their Own Instead

Former employees of Shoofly Vegan Bakery have halted negotiations to buy the business, following a walkout over delayed paychecks. The staff has since shifted their focus to opening their own bakery, Catscratch Co-Op Vegan Bakery, with over $22,400 raised through bake sales to support their efforts. Owner Tien Vominh, who bought Shoofly earlier this year, indicated the staff could not secure the funds necessary for the acquisition. The former employees contested this claim, stating their proposal to sublet the bakery was a legitimate effort to gain access to the equipment. Communication issues arose as Vominh reportedly missed scheduled meetings, leading to frustration among the staff.

The group is now finalizing their new location on NE Halsey Street and aims to create a worker-owned business. Despite the challenges, the former staff remains committed to their new venture, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. The closure of Shoofly has sparked discussions about employee ownership in the local food industry.