In March 1918, union members of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company formed a committee of three to start and set up a retail business to be operated by the people of the town, and to be known as the Grand Falls Newfoundland Industrial Workers Association Co-operative Society. The committee consisted of Mr. A. Duggan, Mr. F.W. Wills and Mr. Pumphrey.
On December 23, 1920 the new store opened for business at 11:00 a.m. with nine employees including the first manager, Mr. Harry Fletcher. The store opened with a variety of merchandise and food. Mr. F.W. Wills was given the opportunity to make the first purchase. Sales for the first week of operation amounted to $2100.07. The Co-op was off to a good start.
Over the next few decades the store relocated to different areas of town. The store supported many local non-profit organizations throughout their years in business. My class and I visited the Grand Falls Co-op. Clement came with us. He was from Jamaica and he used to help out in our school. He was part of the Jamcayne Exchange Program with Canada World Youth. The Co-op had some antiques on display there. Also, they had beautiful murals painted on the walls depicting places around Grand Falls-Windsor. During the 2005 Centennial Celebrations the town constructed the Centennial Archway on High Street in front of the Co-op. It was very similar to the Peace Archway built in 1919. When we were there the store gave us two Purity gift packs as a thank you for visiting the store. We sent one of these gift boxes across the Atlantic Ocean to our pen pals in Harlow, England, and we sent the other box to our pen pals at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They also gave my whole class and Clement an ice cream treat to eat.
On February 21, 2006 after 85 years in serving the community, my mom, Kathy Sampson, the last manager, closed the doors for the last time at 4:00 p.m.. However, you can still buy delicious baked goods there because the Bread Box located in the back of the store, remained open. The building on High Street now stands as a friendly reminder of the friendships that were made, and how it served its members loyally for over 85 years.
Zackery Sampson (2005-2006)