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The Wetaskiwin Co-op was formed in 1917 by a group of progressive
individuals who saw the need for a member owned and operated facility.
It has faithfully served the community and its members with quality
products, superb customer service and competitive prices while staying
alert to a constantly changing market place.
The Country Junction and Falun Service
Centre provide employment to over 120 individuals making us one of the largest employers
in Wetaskiwin and District.
It is also committed to assisting with
community fund-raising projects. The Country Junction provides facilities, equipment, food
and drinks to community groups to host regular
Toonie
Lunch Bar-B-Q's. Over $10,000 has been raised this way in the last two years.
Additionally, when there is a special need in the community the Wetaskiwin Co-op
Association can be counted on to help. We have hosted special community events such as
the Petting Zoo that came right into
the heart of the store to entertain children and the
stunt pilot that landed on our
makeshift runway to promote the
Air Show that swept the
skies over Wetaskiwin in August of 2004. We participate in fundraising
events to support the Wetaskiwin
Hospital or other organizations that work to better service the healthcare needs of the people of this community.
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We started a modest supply co-op that
operated from a box car on a railroad spur in Wetaskiwin. Events unfolded and
business grew so rapidly we had to purchase a building on a quiet corner of Wetaskiwin.
The rest is really a fantastic story of co-operation and
loyalty - our history is
worth reading. The services and facilities
eventually expanded to include a home decorating centre, lumber yard, feed mill, cardlock,
and bulk petroleum all spread out over several locations in the area. In 2002 these
divisions were combined into one location called The Country
Junction, which carries over 50,000 items in the home centre, is
one of the largest farm supply stores in Canada and the largest
building supplier in the Wetaskiwin area. The bright Cardlock
location is connected to 230 similar locations across Western Canada to
provide 24 hour convenience seven days a week for Cardlock customers.
Our reputation as a prime supplier of
bulk feeds
has grown so that we supply feed to livestock producers across all of
Alberta and parts of BC and Saskatchewan. In addition we operate the
Falun Branch, the "Biggest Little Country Store in
Canada" which supplies gas, groceries, hardware, building supplies, feed, cardlock and
petroleum products to the Falun area west of Wetaskiwin.
Like other Co-op Associations
across Canada the Wetaskiwin Co-op is supported by its 8,000 plus members, represented by a
Board of Directors. As a member of
Federated
Co-operatives the Wetaskiwin Co-op is able to access all types of consumer products at
competitive prices and pass these savings on to the members. The profits made
by the Co-op, including profits from our Co-op refinery (CCRL) are paid back to the
consumer through equity. Anyone can become a member of the Wetaskiwin Co-op for only
$10.00 for a lifetime membership.
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The Country Junction and its
hardworking staff have received prestigious Business of the Year awards from the Wetaskiwin & District Chamber of
Commerce.
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."
Indeed, the Wetaskiwin Co-op was formed on the
basis of this philosophy and our business decisions and community projects
continued to be guided by that belief. It is a proud moment when the community that you serve recognizes that kind of
commitment and that also pays tribute to the people of Wetaskiwin who help
sustain this co-operative
relationship with the community. We appreciate the co-operation of the local
businesses, too.
These achievements are due to the extraordinary efforts and dedication of the
employees - retail and warehouse support, mill hands, drivers, sales and administrative
staff. Many of these fine individuals have served the Co-op for several years, some
for decades - their experience and dedication make it easier for new staff to become part
of the team. The Board of Directors and management appreciate everyone's commitment
to making the Country Junction the best.
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