Fredericton Co-op store marks half a century in business

The Fredericton Co-op first opened its doors in 1974, and has only grown in membership since then.

More than 10,000 families now call themselves members, said store manager Paul King.

"We are here because of the support of our membership," he said.

King has worked in grocery stores since he was packing groceries as a 16-year-old at a Co-op store in Labrador City.

"It's an amazing career," King says of his life in the grocery business, working his way up to store manager in Fredericton.

"It's a family. You believe in the format, you believe in what it does."

A Co-op store is no ordinary store. As a co-operative, only members can shop there by paying into the store and becoming a partial owner.

"If you become a member, you become an owner," King said.

Shoppers pay $10 to join, as well as two per cent on all goods purchased until the sum reaches $1,000, which goes to a member's share capital as an investment in the store.

There's also a service fee of $1 a week that goes toward overhead costs like maintenance and staffing.

King said the membership model hasn't changed in more than 50 years.

As prices have risen at grocery stores across Canada, King said Co-op stores are always trying to improve to better serve members.

"What has changed is the landscape, meaning new players into the market, new competition getting bigger. It makes us smarter, it gives us more opportunities to offer more to our members," he said.

"It's never easy in the retail sector, but we believe we're holding our own and we continue to grow."