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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s happening with May Day? 

Longtime owner and baker, Andy Lunning, decided in the fall of 2023 to hang up his apron and sell May Day Cafe. Since then, the workers have stepped up to purchase the space and operate May Day as a worker cooperative! This involves a lot of details and logistics—but the long and short of it is that May Day will continue operating as the Cafe you know and love with many of the same people (and a few new faces) in the kitchen and behind the counter. 

How long will this transition take? Will you close during the transition?

We anticipate closing on this purchase and completing the transition to worker ownership in late 2024. We plan to close for a very short period of time (maybe two days) after the final sale, aside from this we will continue operating as usual. 
 

Do you all have support from the current owner?

Yes! We are working closely with Andy, who supports the transition. He is working with us not only in the logistics of the sale, but also is training new bakers on all of his famous May Day recipes!


    What is a worker cooperative? 

    A worker cooperative is a business structure where member-owners are the ones who operate the space. This means that the May Day Cafe Worker Cooperative will be collectively owned by the workers at May Day! Not all current workers at May Day want to be worker-owners, but many of us will be. For those of us who choose to be worker-owners this will mean more responsibility, more decision-making power, and a share of the profits—the same qualities as traditional business ownership, but the workers are the owners and responsibilities and benefits are shared. As a cooperative, we are also committed to the seven international cooperative principles that you can read more about here.


    Why a worker cooperative?

    We believe that the worker cooperative model is the best approach to honor the spirit and legacy of May Day Cafe. As workers, we are the ones most impacted by this business—and we are the ones who understand the business best! In a worker cooperative, workers have agency to participate in decision-making not only about the business, but about our own working conditions. It’s a structure that promotes a higher quality workplace, which in turn also promotes a stronger business model. While the structure of a worker cooperative itself doesn’t guarantee that a business will succeed or live up to its ideals, it does provide a strong foundation for this to be possible. We are excited and humbled by the possibility and responsibility of stewarding this special space. In doing so, we believe the Cafe can be transformed for the better while still retaining its community roots.

    Does a cooperative really work?

    YES, co-ops work! 

    On the one hand, cooperatives require a lot of work and buy-in from worker-owners. We are responsible for all the challenging parts of business operations and decision-making, and have no single owner to pass off responsibility to. Worker cooperatives in particular require trust, accountability, and a lot of communication. 

    At the same time, this model is successful because it requires a higher degree of worker commitment and trust. Worker cooperatives have more stability and financial success compared to traditional small businesses. Under this model, worker-owners have a stake in the business which shows up in our commitment both to daily operations and high-level planning. Having owners in every part of business operations means we can be better attuned to what’s happening in the Cafe and more quickly make appropriate adjustments. Through sharing the load, we can offset burnout, elevate creative ideas, and create a workplace that we all want to be a part of. 

    There are many examples of this model succeeding—both in Minneapolis and all over the world! We are excited about how a cooperative model will support the long-term stability of the space while deepening our commitment to worker dignity and agency.


      I love May Day the way it is! Will things change?

      Will my favorite pastry still be there? Will you still have free dog biscuits? What about the prices and the hours? Etc…

      The workers also love May Day! We plan to keep the Cafe true to its essence: a space for community gathering, a commitment to affordability, and serving delicious house-made baked goods. We know many of our pastries have a loyal following (don’t worry—those croissants aren’t going anywhere) as do aspects of the space (dog biscuits! Rickety chairs! Drink punch cards!). Many things will be staying the same because you love them—and so do we. 


      That said, change will inevitably come. No one besides Andy is Andy—and we won’t pretend to be! We are bringing in an amazing and skilled team of bakers who will be contributing their own experience and vision for the Cafe. We already have a fantastic slew of baristas and cooks who have ideas and vision. We are excited to exercise this imagination—both on our menu and how you experience the space. There is grief in change, we get that! We hope you will join us in celebrating the new possibilities that worker-ownership will bring to the Cafe.

      Where will my donation go? 

      Your donation will go directly to the May Day Cafe Workers Cooperative to help us buy the Cafe and start operating the business on a strong financial foundation. In addition to helping meet the purchase price gap, funds will be allocated to paying down the mortgage—this will help us keep our monthly expenses lower so we can keep prices low while still paying our workers a livable wage. A successful fundraiser will also allow us breathing room to put more attention and energy towards other aspects of the business and the physical May Day space to improve the quality of our business and your experience! 

      We know you love May Day because you derive joy, connection, and full bellies from this place. In donating you can help ensure we stick around to continue serving you!

      Do I get anything for my donation? Are you all taking investors? Or outside members? Are my donations tax deductible?

      At this time we are setting up the structure of May Day strictly as a worker cooperative. This means that the only May Day cooperative members will be worker-owners. We are also not at this time taking any investors in the business so as not to complicate our finances as we get our feet under us. 


      While we deeply deeply thank you for your donation, there is nothing that your donation alone buys besides the PRIDE and JOY of supporting this local institution and the people who work there! Keep checking in with the campaign for opportunities to buy merch and other goodies that will also support the fundraising effort. (And if you would like to donate as part of a business sponsorship and want to learn about those perks, please reach out to us!) And unfortunately no, since this is a business, your donations are not tax deductible. 


        How can I donate? How can I get involved? 

        You can donate here, and find volunteer information here! Thank you for supporting May Day, you are helping steward the Cafe for generations to come. 


          Maria

          Regular, member of the Healthcare Reparations Cooperative

          “May Day Cafe is one of the reasons I've decided to move to Minneapolis this fall. The intergenerational spirit of Powderhorn Park is vibrant within the 4 walls of this community center. May Day is not just a cafe, but a physical testament of the power of community. Let's keep it alive!”




          Sean L.

          A FAN AND FRIEND

          “Solidarity with May Day Cafe's new Worker Owned Co-op! As a local community organizer, May Day has always been a beloved meeting spot, and the quintessential South Minneapolis cafe. 
          My fondest memories are of early morning coffee & pastries runs with my partner, who teaches at South High School down the road.
          And, as a friend of many cafe workers, I am so proud to support them in this new capital campaign. I am excited to create artwork: banners, posters, and more, in support of their ongoing fundraising efforts. Let's do this!”



          Aza H.

          Regular,  Big fan

          “I grew up going to a cafe a lot like May Day. After moving to Minneapolis, it was that space I missed more than anything-- a community living room, one might say. I’m so grateful to have landed here, in large part, due to May Day Cafe and all that it gives to folks in the community. 
          I'm even more grateful for the workers behind the counter who are keeping it alive! This cooperative is a sign of hope for a future in which our favorite cafe supports its employees as fiercely as its patrons~~ ”