Shoofly workers walk out, bid to make it worker-owned

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Justin Hillsmith has been prepping breads and batters at the vegan bakery Shoofly in Southeast Portland. But now, after he and a dozen co-workers say the new owner missed two paychecks, they want to turn it into a worker-owned co-op.

It's silent inside this Portland favorite along Southeast Division and 11th. A letter taped to the door explains the employees walked out of Shoofly last Friday over the missed paychecks.

"It was kind of a hard decision to walk off the job and to just, kind of, give up the prospect of future paychecks," Hillsmith told KOIN 6 News.

But the idea of a co-op is appealing.

"It's not just us that loves Shoofly enough to fight for it," he said. "It's everyone we talk to in Portland and it just means a huge amount to them and to us."

But they need to buy it from the current owner, who took over just a few months ago. But, since the employees are currently short on cash, they've launched a GoFundMe along with hosting bake sales in an effort to garner community backing.

And if they can't buy the business, they plan to start a new one.

Hillsmith said this is about more than baked goods. It's about friendship, family, a safe space for all. They're not just fighting for a job, he said. They're fighting for each other.

"This is just such an incredible space for, like, queer and LGBTQ people that, like, it feels safe and comfortable here," he said. "I love coming to work everyday and talking with my coworkers."

KOIN 6 News contacted the Shoofly's owner but have not heard back at this time. Employees are expected to meet with him on Wednesday to talk through their options.

"My hope," Hillsmith said," is that we get to keep baking together."