CUMMINGTON, Mass. (AP) — A popular country store and gathering place in western Massachusetts has been bought by its loyal customers and turned into a cooperative. 

The Old Creamery Grocery in Cummington has been bought by 550 member-owners for $1.3 million. They include locals as well as people from as far away as California who own homes in the area.  Board of directors’ President Kimberly Longey tells The Berkshire Eagle, the price tag includes the property, the inventory, and a renovation and expansion project. The co-op plans to expand existing store space by 20 percent, improve the parking area and grounds, and add an outdoor dining area and ice cream window. 

The Old Creamery will remain open during renovations. All 26 employees will stay on.  The Creamery opened in 1886 as a dairy farmer’s processing plant.