The COOP is a new local business in town, bringing forth a different environment and experience to the community.

This isn’t your average coffee house.

“The bakery is named after a dear friend that passed away – he had an uncanny ability to bring people of all walks of life together, and they always smiled,” owner Brant Dumford said.

Inspired by his friend’s personality and spirit, Dumford got creative and decided to open The COOP.

“(The COOP) is a movement toward better products, quality ingredients, and the continuity of like minds,” Dumford said. “We embody a family of people who care about what goes into the human body and want the absolute best experience to be had by all.”

Formerly an empty gas station, the bakery offers a community market space with baked goods and coffee, desserts, bierocks, microwaveable meals, microgreens, breakfast burritos and protein smoothies.

“I went the first week it opened, so I was not sure what to expect. They had a wide variety of desserts, cookies, and breads, all made by local bakers… it was very cool,” sixth grade social studies teacher Brian Ball said.

As a bakery cooperative, it also provides a space for local bakers to supply their own goods. For a baker to get their products in the bakery, they must first register their bakery online, then go through a vetting process to ensure that there is no overlap and that the products stand alone.

Dumford added: “We don’t want 10 cupcake bakers; we want one very committed and explicitly talented cupcake baker.”

Bakers are able to combine their own style and specialized talents as well as cater to both necessary and underserved areas.

“Offering many options for beverages and food that accommodate dietary restrictions has been a valuable part of what we do – We can provide special orders like a birthday cake for a (person) that’s allergic to wheat or dairy,” Dumford said.

“I was able to find individual Lemon Cheesecake, Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, and some cake pops for my kids,” Ball said.

Dumford also believes that The COOP is giving back to the community in a number of ways: From continuing the legacy of mom’s chocolate chip cookies, auntie’s turnovers and grandma’s bierocks, to the 350 handsewn masks made available to the community. Free coffee grounds are also occasionally handed out to be used for gardening.

Opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic provided challenges for new businesses, but The COOP has taken necessary steps to ensure safety during the global pandemic. By allowing online orders and curbside pickup, as well as limiting the number of patrons inside at one time, the bakery allows customers to shop safely.

“Of course there was a ton (of hesitation to open), but with a great team anything is possible,” Dumford said. “We only lost one potential baker for the COOP, and hopefully she will join us later in the year after the pandemic has passed.”

Dumford also believes that this was the best decision that could have been made.

“As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve found that when most people run away from the fire… It is (an) optimal time to run towards the fire, allowing for differentiation, and branding the company as a solid, vetted company,” he said.

As soon as the pandemic ends, Dumford hopes for The COOP to become a gathering place for the community, with outdoor markets, events, and live music.

“I just wanted to continue helping out local businesses during this difficult time, and it was great,” Ball said. “I will for sure visit again, because I love coffee, they were friendly, and had tasty-looking desserts.”

Dumford added: “The COOP is built on the premise of bringing people together and carrying a vision of congeniality to all walks of life. Fortunately, we have been successful despite the setbacks, which can only be attributed to a very proud and dynamic team of cooperative members, and the customers that are visualizing something truly magical happen in south Derby.”

The bakery is located at 104 N Baltimore Ave, Derby, KS 67037.