HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Auburn, 2004-07-29, Page 41PAGE 20. AUBURN - 150 YEARS OF HISTORY.
Locals come to Auburn Co-op for feed, seed
Serving rural community
Huron Bay Co-Operative branch is thriving with sales at just under $2 million. Since 1986 the
manager has been Steve Caldwell. There are two, other full-time and four part-time
employees.
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
operatives of Ontario, it was been branch manager of the Co-op in
purchased by the Teeswater District Auburn and says with the help of his
Originally operated by United Co- Since 1986, Steve Caldwell has
One of the most thriving Co-op after UCO went bankrupt in staff, the business has managed to
businesses in Auburn today is the 1992. remain successful.
Huron Bay Co-operative branch on Then in 1994, Teeswater The staff includes Deb Hopper
County Rd. 25 at the east end of the purchased another four Co-ops, who takes care of bookkeeping and
bringing their total to eight locations James Campbell, who is responsible village.
Sales have grown to a little under throughout the Huron, Bruce and for sales and delivery. Both help
$2 million and being a locally owned Grey -counties along with a new with customers in the store, along
name - The Huron Bay Co- with part-time help from Markus business, they take the time to get to
know their customers. operative. Redmond, Tom Cronin and Bill and
Maxine Seers.
The three biggest sellers at the Co-
op are feed, seed and items sold
throughout the store.
In 1977 UCO had bought a
fertilizer blender from the Ontario
Plant Food company, (it later closed
in 1986). After running the fertilizer
plant for a number of years, it was
realized that a retail outlet was
needed; so in 1979, the old Fina Gas
1 Station was rented.
It contained hardware, animal
health products and a small line of
bagged feed. ,
This was operated by one full time
person _and some part-time help.
Within a year or so, the feed business
had soared forcing the store to buy a
trailer which was placed on the west
side of the store. This allowed more
room in the store and the opportunity
to expand the hardware line.
In 1983, the board of -directors was
debating the closure of the original
location of the Co-op, but employees
and members rallied together and
successfully fought to keep the store
opened.
Around 1985, a fence yard was set
up to expand sales of farm gates and
water troughs.
By 1990 it was realized that the
store's location at the Fina Gas
Station, had grown too small for the
amount of business that Auburn was
producing, so in January 1991, the
Co-op moved to the old Whetstone
Furniture at 135 York Street, where it
remains to this day. The building had
. been build in,1961 by Keith Arthur
for his furniture business.
After the Co-op's move, a new
feed trailer was purchased and
placed on the west sick of the store.
A new forklift was bought in 1995
to unload trucks and move heavier
items around the store.
In 1994, there was a noticeable
increase in membership since the
Co-op was locally run and when feed
sales soared, a new pickup truck was
purchased to allow for small
deliveries.
At that time, mutual agreement
between the -Co-op and Eunice
Arthur was made, allowing the Co-
op to use her land. A trailer was then
purchased and placed at the end of
the store, which allowed a fence yard
to be made between the store and the
trailer.
A seasonal greenhouse was then
erected to the east of the chemical
trailer.
In June 2001, a portion of
residential property owned by
Arthur, was purchased, but since it
was considered "residential
property," the Co-op applied for a
rezoning permit in 2003 to make it a
commercial property.
A shed was included in the land
purchase which Caldwell said has
has helped with sales in the store, as
well as in the feed and seed
department.
In 2002, the Co-op was able to
purchase a new three-quarter ton
pickup truck.
1•
Quite an attraction
Ken McDougall riding his 1877 penny-farthing bicycle was a
popular entry in many local parades during the 1950s. This
picture was taken at Auburn's Centennial celebration in
1954. (Photo courtesy of Bernice Gross)
Facelift
On June 29,1991 the old furniture store in Auburn was undergoing some exterior renovations.
The false front would be removed uncovering the double front doors which had been hidden
for many years. The Roetcisoenders replaced the glass and have given the doors a coat of
paint. (Photo courtesy of Maureen Bean)