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Our Co-operative History |
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In 1944, the Moose Jaw Consumers’ Co-operative Association Ltd., made up of a Service Station and Petroleum department and the Moose Jaw Co-operative Society consisting of groceries, dry goods, hardware, men’s wear and coal merged to establish the Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Limited. The strength and financial resources created by the amalgamation enabled members to expand services.
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A locker plant was opened and in days when home freezers were unknown and electric power was unavailable on the majority of farms, it proved to be a great innovation.
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The year 1950 witnessed a great expansion program. The Co-op Lumber Yard and Feed Mill were built on High Street West. Additional property adjacent to 38 High St. W. was purchased, allowing the opening of the hardware department and the expansion of dry goods.
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Three years late the Co-op Refinery was expanded to sufficient capacity and the Moose Jaw Co-op built a bulk petroleum plant.
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As memberships and business continued to increase, it became evident the High St. premises were inadequate and further expansion on that location was considered impractical. Following a careful study, the decision was made to purchase the city block at 500 – 1st Avenue NW and build a modern shopping center. The property was purchased from more than 20 different owners and 16 houses were moved to different locations, renovated and sold to new owners.
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On August 29, 1962, the shopping center was officially opened to public view and the following day was open for business.
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In 1975 in response to the growing needs in the local farming community the Moose Jaw Co-op officially opened and Agro Centre at 710 High St. W.
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The 1980’s recession caused our organization to take a hard look at its operations and forced many closures. 1984 saw the closure of the South Hill food store. In 1988 the heating and plumbing department was reduced and integrated into the hardware department and the locker plan closed due to lack of need. Due to poor housing starts, the economy and least cost studies, the lumberyard was closed in 1988 also.
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The 1990’s showed the beginning of a turn around from the previous decade’s struggles. Still considering the advanced needs of our farming community and also to meet environmental standards our bulk petroleum plant at Caribou St. W. and Thatcher Drive was upgraded and an Agro Centre was added which opened in 1990.
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The first phase of shopping center renovations took place in 1995 with the upgrading of the main floor. In 2000 the storefront was modernized and in 2002 the final phase saw the closure of the fashions department and the expansion and upgrading of the balance of the food floor. Also in 2002 the lower level of the shopping center went through major changes with the closing of the hardware department and the establishment of Sterling Fitness Centre.
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At the Agro facility a decision was made in 1998 to expand the services provided and a new modern Agro Centre was built.
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The Service Station, which served the association well was demolished in 2000 and a new state of the art Gas Bar / Convenience Store / Touchless Car Wash was constructed on the site.
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Since 1944 when the Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Limited was incorporated, sales have amounted to over $654,000,000 and savings of over $24,000,000 have resulted. In the past 10 years the Co-op has returned over $7,000,000 to its members in cash, proving there are benefits to being a member of the Moose Jaw Co-op.
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To learn more about the Moose Jaw Co-op's history, visit the pictoral history gallery "Co-ops....Turning Dreams Into Reality" located on the lower level of the Co-op Marketplace.
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