Black Star Co-op
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Black Star Co-op is a consumers' cooperative located in Austin, Texas. It is the world's first cooperatively owned and operated brewpub, and will be opening for business in 2007.
Contents |
[edit] History
The brainchild of Steven Yarak, the Co-op's first meeting was held on January 14, 2006 with 19 people in attendance. The response from the community was very positive, and work progressed rapidly. The first bylaws were ratified on April 2, 2006, a 1.5 bbl brewhouse was constructed over the summer, and the co-op is now working on a membership drive.
[edit] Membership
As with all consumers' cooperatives, Black Star Co-op is a business that is owned and democratically controlled by its patrons. Membership is open to everyone who is at least 21 years of age (the legal drinking age in Texas). A prospective member must complete a membership application, pay a joining fee, and make a small capital investment in the business to join the co-op.
[edit] Types
The membership of the co-op is divided into two types - Invested Members and Joining Members. Invested Members have contributed the full capital investement required of membership, while Joining Members have only contributed a portion of their assessed captial. As required by Texas law, both types of members hold equal voting power, and voting is always done on a one member-one vote basis. However, only Invested Members enjoy additional benefits of membership.
[edit] Current Membership
As of September 26, 2006 there are 87 members of the co-op. Of these, 71 are Invested Members.
[edit] Governance
Black Star Co-op is filed as a cooperative association in the State of Texas. Its bylaws feature a unique compromise between traditional models of workers' and consumers' co-ops.
[edit] Current Activities
In addition to the membership drive, the co-op is also active in the homebrewing community of Austin, and regularly lends its expertise in serving onsite draught beer to a variety of community events.
