24 Karat Bakery Co-op was born from a simple dream:
To make good food, good jobs, and good ownership go hand in hand.
We started as a small group of bakers and creators in Chicago who wanted to build something better, a bakery that doesn’t just sell food, but creates opportunity.
A place where the people who mix the dough, greet the customers, and clean the ovens also have a real stake in the success they build every day.
We believe food should nourish the body and the community.
That means:
Using real, wholesome ingredients: no artificial junk, no shortcuts.
Paying people fairly and giving them the chance to grow.
Teaching skills that help our members build careers or start their own businesses.
Making every bakery a place where neighbors connect and thrive.
At 24 Karat, ownership isn’t about control, it’s about empowerment.
Everyone has a voice, everyone has a vote, and everyone has a path forward.
Most small food makers struggle to get their products in front of people – limited farmers markets, high rents, and short seasons. At 24 Karat Bakery, we’re building something different: a permanent, community-owned marketplace where your food can shine.
Sell your goods year-round, rain or shine.
Skip the overhead of your own storefront.
Be part of a space where customers already come hungry for local, organic food.
Keep more money in your pocket by selling directly through the co-op.
We’re here to make your dream sustainable – without you having to do it alone.
At most jobs, you trade your time for a paycheck. At 24 Karat Bakery, you get more:
Fair pay that’s above market rates.
Education & training – learn baking, latte art, flavor pairings, and food business skills.
Ownership – you’re not just an employee, you’re a co-owner with a real voice in decisions.
Creative freedom – help design new menu items and experiment in the kitchen.
This is your chance to build a career, not just a job.
Every time you shop at 24 Karat Bakery, you’re doing more than buying bread – you’re investing in your community.
Enjoy breads, pastries, and drinks made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Meet the entrepreneurs behind the products and discover new flavors.
Learn about food through tastings, events, and workshops.
Become a co-owner and have a real say in the future of your neighborhood bakery.
This isn’t just any bakery – it’s your bakery.
We promise to bake with purpose:
To feed people well – using ingredients that are healthy, clean, and globally inspired.
To train and uplift our team – helping every worker-owner build confidence, skill, and ownership.
To reinvest in our communities – through local projects, food education, and partnerships that make a real difference.
At 24 Karat Bakery Co-op, every cookie, bagel, and dessert you buy helps fund something bigger:
a class for kids, a community garden, or the next co-op bakery ready to rise.
At 24 Karat Bakery, we strive to deliver high-quality, handcrafted goods while supporting sustainable practices and local ingredients. Together, we’re baking fresh flavors and building connections that nourish our community.
To become the leading hub for passionate bakers, fostering a community where bakers and baristas can explore new flavors and share them with their customers.
To create a community-driven bakery that brings together passionate bakers, baristas, and customers through cooperative ownership and collaboration.
Join the Founding 100 and help shape the future of 24 Karat Bakery. For a limited time, ownership is available at $200 per share – exclusively for our first 100 members. Once these spots are gone, shares will never be this price again. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something lasting.
