Cooper’s Dairy

Cooper’s Corner

Russell Cooper began his family’s long involvement in the dairy business when, at the age of 18 in 1936, he purchased Bridgeman’s Dairy with a $5,000 loan from the Smith Charities. He founded Cooper’s Dairy, located at 126 North Maple Street in Florence. In short succession, he acquired other small local dairies, consolidating them into a facility at the northwest corner of Main and Chestnut. Russ picked up milk from Hampshire and Franklin County farms and pasteurized, homogenized, and bottled it at Cooper’s Dairy. He then delivered it to homes, stores, schools, and other institutions throughout the two counties. Russ’s son Rich recalls that Cooper’s Dairy received recognition for having what was thought to be the state’s first female “milkman.” 

In the 1950s, as more people had cars, they were stopping at the dairy to pick up their milk rather than relying on home delivery. Customers asked Russ to carry bread and cereal as well, beginning Cooper’s extension beyond dairy products. After a fire destroyed the building in 1964, it came back as the retail establishment it is today. By the end of the 1960s, the dairy part of the business was sold to All Star Dairy of South Hadley. The retail store changed its name to “Cooper’s Corner,” the nickname given to it by local customers. The store was expanded in 1985. (The Cooper homestead at 35 Main was moved to North Elm Street to make room for the expansion.) 

Russ Cooper died in 1984, followed by sons Ed in 1996 and Ron in 2004, leaving Rich as the sole proprietor of the family business. In 2022, Rich sold Cooper’s Corner, along with State Street Fruit Store in Northampton, to long-time employee and general manager Michael Natale.