Our History

The Moose Jaw Co-op has been providing excellent customer service to its members since 1944. We take great pride in giving back to the community, and we are proud to offer patronage refunds to our members, as well as financial support to many organizations within our community. The remarkable support and loyalty from our members and staff has consistently earned us a place on the prestigious “Saskatchewan Business Top 100 Companies” list.

We have grown to over 17,000 members, and we are staffed by over 180 employees throughout our eight locations in Moose Jaw. We invite you to stop in and experience why “You’re at home here”.

1944 - Moose Jaw Co-op

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. A locker plant was opened, and, in the days when home freezers were unknown and electric power was unavailable on the majority of farms, it proved to be a great innovation.

1950 - Co-op Lumber Yard and Feed Mill

The year 1950 witnessed a great expansion program. The Co-op lumber yard and feed mill were built on High Street West in Moose Jaw. Additional property adjacent to 38 High Street West was purchased, allowing the opening of the hardware department and the expansion of dry goods.

1953 - Bulk Petroleum Plant

The Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina expanded in 1953 to sufficient capacity to allow the Moose Jaw Co-op to build a bulk petroleum plant.

1960-62 - Expansion Study and New Shopping Centre

As membership and business continued to increase, it became evident that the High Street premises could not meet the needs of all customers, 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 centre. The property was purchased from more than 20 different owners, and 16 houses were moved to different locations, renovated and sold to new owners.

On August 29, 1962, the shopping centre was officially opened to public view and was open for business the following day.

1975 - Agro Centre

In response to the growing needs of the local farming community, the Moose Jaw Co-op officially opened an agro centre at 710 High Street West.

1980s - Store Closures and Department Reductions

The recession in the 1980s caused our organization to take a hard look at its operations and forced many closures. In 1984, we 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 plant closed due to lack of need. Due to poor housing starts, the economy and least-cost studies, the lumberyard was also closed in 1988.

1990-2002 - New Agro Centre / Shopping Centre Renovations

The 1990s showed the beginnings of a turnaround from the previous decade’s struggles. To consider the advanced needs of our farming community and to meet environmental standards, our bulk petroleum plant at Caribou Street and Thatcher Drive was upgraded, and an agro centre was added, which opened in 1990. In 1998, a decision was made to expand the services provided at the agro facility and a new modern agro centre was built.

The first phase of the shopping centre 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 remainder of the food floor. Also in 2002, the lower level of the shopping centre went through some major changes with the closing of the hardware department and the establishment of Sterling Fitness Centre, which is now known as the Moose Jaw YMCA.

2000 – Marketplace Gas Bar / Convenience Store / Touchless Car Wash

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 shopping centre site.

2006 – South Hill Gas Bar / Convenience Store / Touchless Car Wash

In November of 2006, the Moose Jaw Co-op opened up its second gas bar / convenience store / touchless car wash at 414 9th Avenue SW.

2011 – Ross Park Gas Bar / Convenience Store / Touchless Car Wash

March of 2011 was when the Moose Jaw Co-op opened up its third gas bar location at 1592 9th Avenue NE.

2019 - Purchase of Prairie Plains Agro

Offering producers crop inputs and protection services.

2020 - Opening of The Moose Jaw Co-op Pharmacy at Hillcrest

This second pharmacy location offers features such as post-partum services, compression and bracing, and active living.  This bright new space is second option for our members, in addition to our downtown location.

2020 -Marketplace Food Store Renovation

Our food store will see a facelift on the exterior and interior, including the addition of a liquor store inside.