Prairie Roots Co-Op - Elm Creek - Elm Creek

Marquette Co-op History

The founders of Marquette Co-operative were ordinary people with modest needs and aspirations. From it's inception, on Monday April 25, 1949, they came together with the belief that their common aspirations of building a better life for their families would be better achieved by working in cooperation as opposed to competition. By adhering to a set of values and principals, they came to equate their success with that of the organization they collectively owned. It must have taken great perseverance and determination to build this sustainable business that thrived for generations.

Thanks to our members and visionary individuals who guided our development.  Marquette Co-operative became a dynamic cooperative retailer providing goods and services to our members. The collective success we enjoyed throughout the years is the result of years of cooperation and determination on the part of people who worked together for their mutual advantage and benefit.

Prior to the organizing of Marquette Consumers Co-operative, a number of people in this area had already become members of the Portage Co-operative which had organized over 20 years earlier.

Eventually however, Portage Co-op ran into pricing difficulties due to fuel zoning regulations. Following much discussion it was decided that the Marquette area should leave Portage, and form their own organization. History was made on April 25, 1949.

1958 was a proud year for the organization.  This was the first year that cash was paid out to members.

Over the years, many people in the area served on the Co-op board who were very dedicated to seeing the Co-op not only survive but thrive.  For about the first fifteen years there was no remuneration paid to directors for their time or mileage.  In fact, in early years a few directors put up their own money to guarantee loans on behalf of the Co-op.  Luckily they were always repaid.

In 1960, a house was purchased and a village lot was bought - It was to be the manager?s residence and remains there to this day. 

Also in the 1960?s, a building, just west of the old store, was purchased ($4,641.00 building; $1,059.99 for the lot) and was used for lumber storage.

It was 1979 before land was purchased (west of Marquette in the RM of Woodlands) for fuel tanks.  The tanks were moved and set up adjacent to the tracks. It would be eleven years later, in 1990, when a new store would be built on this property by the tracks.  In 1993, another piece was added onto this building along with paving the parking lot.

By 1997, a new truck garage was built and by 1999, a new chemical warehouse was erected. In the early 2000?s, the Petroleum department continued to grow with the addition of a second tandem delivery truck.

In 2003, the Co-op expanded again with a state of the art 1500 tonne fertilizer shed, and with overwhelming community support, another 500 tonne compartment was added on in 2005.

The purchase of the Starbuck Co-op in 2006 expanded the trading area to the south.  Marquette Co-op was now a regional co-op. This added another farm supply store, chemical shed, and a new petroleum customer base.

New fuel cardlocks were installed in Starbuck (2010) and Marquette (2012) to give 24/7 access to clear and dyed fuel.

In 2013, a seed-treater and conveyors were purchased for the ever growing cereal and soybean seed business.  2014 saw the beginning of renovations for both the Starbuck and Marquette branches.Three Agro offices were added onto the Marquette store to accommodate the Agro market.  At the same time, the front counter was moved to give that area of the store a C-Store feel.  During the winter of 2015, an exterior facelift of the Starbuck store and renovations inside were completed to give customers a new, better experience with also a C-Store feel.

It was 65 hard years of the Co-op serving its members and its members serving the Co-op. People, local organizations, and business opportunities may come and go, but one thing that won?t? the local Co-op.