The Cheese Board Collective, Worker-owned pizzeria and cheesery in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, United States.
The Cheese Board Collective is a pizzeria and cheesery in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood, housed in two connected storefronts side by side. One side sells an array of cheeses from local and international producers, while the other serves freshly baked pizza topped with seasonal ingredients.
The shop opened in 1971 as a small cheese store and soon became a worker-owned cooperative. Over time it added a pizza counter, which helped it grow into one of the most recognizable spots in the Gourmet Ghetto.
The Cheese Board Collective is owned and run by its workers together, meaning everyone on the team has an equal say in how things are done. Behind the counter, staff move between tasks without a clear manager in sight, which gives the place a noticeably relaxed and cooperative feel.
The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, and both storefronts are wheelchair accessible. Lines for pizza can get long around lunchtime, so arriving early in the day tends to make the visit more comfortable.
Each day only one pizza is on offer, made with organic toppings that change from one day to the next. This means no two visits are ever the same, and regulars often plan their trips around which combination is being served.
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