Before the end of the 20th century the various
facilities
of the Wetaskiwin Co-op Association were again bulging at the seams. A new long
range plan emerged to move all their operations to a new location in the south east corner
of Wetaskiwin near the existing Feed Mill and Bulk Petroleum operations.
The first phase of the new construction started with a store to accommodate farm supplies
and dry goods. However, in 2001 these facilities were barely open when a major fire
almost destroyed the hardware store and lumber warehouse storage building on 49 Avenue
across the street from the first store*.
Building new facilities became a priority.
Meanwhile
the staff managed to work within limited facilities, the community responded with
patience, and by July of 2002 all of the Wetaskiwin Co-op Association's businesses
moved into the present Country Junction location. A retail
merchandiser's dream and
the envy of the co-operative industry, the Country Junction is a modern, bright, spacious,
and convenient facility with lots of parking.
What a history of success! Fortunate to attract a
dedicated staff, loyal customers, good management - the benefits and accolades of the
Co-op comprise a list much too long to mention here.
The new facilities and the many achievements of the
Wetaskiwin Co-op would be an impressive awe-inspiring site for the old-timers to
see. Pioneers who had united to organize the co-operative in Wetaskiwin, farmers who
hitched their team of horses to wagons in order to make that long trek into Wetaskiwin to
collect their supplies from a box car, families that had pledged all that they owned as
collateral to help buy the first store, individuals that volunteered their time and energy to
make the venture work, staff that ensured that customer service was their number one
priority - how many would have foreseen that the small store that opened on Railway Street
West in 1917 would grow to be what we see today.
The settlers of the first Association envisioned a store
that they could rely on for their every need. Today the Country Junction is not just
a farm supply store - Everyone Can Shop Co-op - because as peoples' needs changed so did
the Co-op grow to satisfy its customers. The members of the first Association aimed
for the best and that's what you will get when you visit the Country Junction.
The passion and loyalty of the first co-op members should
never be overlooked or forgotten. These were not selfish farmers simply trying to
make a life for themselves. Indeed, these people were visionaries and achievers
whose determination and co-operation laid the groundwork for other co-op members to follow. The best tribute to
them is evidenced in the spirit and teamwork one witnesses today when you walk into the
Country Junction.
It is a proud moment when the community that
you serve recognizes that kind of commitment - the Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce named the
Country Junction the 2004 Business of the Year. In
an article written in October 2004 The Wetaskiwin Times
Advertiser wrote: "The Co-op is a vision of people working together
to improve their social and economic well being and nothing epitomizes this better than
the philosophy of the Country Junction."
Think about co-operation and what it means the next time
you visit the Country Junction. When you walk into this modern bright store and look
at the neatly organized miles of merchandize think about what that 1917 investment of $550
has produced. Ask for a coffee in the Java Junction and
chat with the descendants of these pioneers. Enjoy the enthusiasm and kindness at
the Country Junction because what you are experiencing is as a result of over
ninety years of
authentic friendly co-operation and customer service.
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