The Pineland Co-op Food Store in Nipawin is one of multiple co-op outlets in Nipawin and Choiceland. (submitted photo/Susan Westgard)

By Mat Barrett

90 Years and Counting

Pineland Co-op celebrating 90 years of service in Nipawin and Choiceland

May 24, 2019 | 4:37 PM

Since 1929, Pineland Co-op has been serving residents of Nipawin and Choiceland, and now the store is approaching its 90th anniversary.

Saturday, June 1 is the official anniversary for Pineland Co-op. Human Resources Manager Tammy Nilson said that the success of Pineland can largely be credited to “a stream of visionary leaders” who helped build the Co-op including general managers and board presidents who have served.

“Who really, all together brought growth and prosperity to our Co-op, to our communities,” Nilson told northeastNOW. “And really, in return, allowed us to support our membership.”

Nilson said there have been plenty of moments over the 90 years that stick out. Some highlights included building a new business during the great depression when a group of farmers were elected to the first board. The other was the formation of the Pineland Co-op in the 1960s. A more regional Co-op was created in the 1980s. Then it was rebuilt again after a fire in 1992.

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“[It] was a really sad day for our community,” Nilson said. “And those of us who are old enough to remember, we remember shopping all that summer in the local arena where the store was set up.”

Recently, Nilson said even after 90 years of business, and change, the success still continues.

“What really stands out from the past couple decades is a period of strong financial results,” she said. “Combined with millions of dollars of equity being returned to our member owners.”

Looking forward, Nilson said they are looking for growth and opportunity, but they can’t stop looking back at the past.

“Co-op’s definitely have always been truly local, and really we hope to sustain that into the future,” she said. “We’re committed to value based decision-making, always in the best interest of our members.”

To celebrate the anniversary on June 1, Pineland is planning a celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nipawin Town Square. They will have activities, entertainment, food, and a grand prize draw to finish it off.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6