McDonough County CEO News

11/2/2025 News Article

02Nov
The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant. More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor ...The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant. More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor ...The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant. More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor ...The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant. More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor ...The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant. More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor ...

The Old Dairy began as one woman's dream to create a community-centered coffee shop & restaurant.

More than twenty years later, Emily Gamage and her husband Marc continue to honor the initial dream that created a popular gathering place for friends & community organizations.

Emily's entry into business ownership didn't follow a traditional path. She welcomed us to the restaurant - on her Monday morning off - and told us all about her story. Emily came to work at The Old Dairy in her early 20s. She'd proven herself a to be a hard working employee and self-motivated. After the original owner passed away, the family was ready to sell. The community was not ready to see it close, and Emily found local support to own and operate the business herself.

Emily was an open book. She shared all the highs and lows of business ownership. Her energy and drive are evident in the success of one of our favorite places in Macomb. We'll be back for those famous Old Dairy brownies again soon!