Jamaica-based Elmhurst Dairy, the last milk processing plant in the city, will close after nearly a century in business. NY1’s Tanya Klich speaks to CEO Henry Schwartz, who has worked at the facility for 75 years.

For Elmhurst Dairy owner Henry Schwartz, milk has been his family’s bread and butter for six generations. His father and uncle started the company at their father’s farm in Elmhurst in 1919, eventually moving to a 15-acre site in Jamaica in 1940. He started working for the family-business as a kid, 75 years ago.

“I worked with young men who were going off to the Army to fight WWII,” said Schwartz. “And I remember it like it was yesterday because they were my friends.”

But after nearly a century in business, the last milk processing plant in the City will close October 30th. Schwartz says several factors, including the rise of alternatives like soy and almond milk, have been eating into his bottom line. He says he's struggled to stay open for years.

“We tried because it was my father's company and he had asked me before he passed to try to keep it and pass it on to my sons and grandsons,” said Schwartz.

Elmhurst says it produced more than 5 million quarts a week, and packaged the milk served in city schools. With the shutdown, more than 270 workers will be laid off.

"It took me by surprise!" said Boateng Agymane, a Bronx Resident who has worked there for nearly a decade.

“Some people took it hard some people took it easy,” said Harold Cabrera of Jamaica, another employee.

Many workers say Elmhurst Dairy provided them with more than a paycheck. For Lawrence Crawford of Jamaica, working for a major distributor gave him a sense of pride.

“It meant a lot to me because you go in the stores and say, hey man, I see this milk everyday,” he said.

Meanwhile, it gave others a sense of community.

“It's like a family,” said Cabrera. “We all knew each other a lot of people been here for 20, 30 years.”

“In running this business, much more important than even the customers and the machinery, or the buildings or the land, are the people who work there," said Schwartz.

He says his family is committed to making sure the redevelopment of the site will benefit Jamaica and the city.

“We have a lot of ideas some of them involving a hotel and entertainment properties,” said Schwartz.

He's also considering partnering with nearby York College to build  a sports facility, a project that could deliver fresh jobs for Queens.