Southern Plains Celebrates 80 Years!

Eighty years ago, a small group of local farmers gathered around a simple but powerful idea:
that neighbours working together could build something stronger than any one person could alone.

On April 10, 1946, that vision became reality when the Estevan Co-operative Association Limited was officially incorporated.

The founding members — E. Goud, E. Erickson, E. Tedford, E. Murphy and H.G. Galloway — were farmers who believed the best way to do business was through co-operation. Each purchased just two shares, helping establish a community-owned organization built on trust and shared success.

Those early days were humble. The Co-op’s first products were practical essentials for rural life — including gasoline sold in barrels. But the idea behind the organization was much bigger than what was being sold. It was about local people investing in their own community and sharing in the success together.

By 1947, the Co-op hired its first General Manager, George Simpson, and the organization quickly began to grow. When the first annual meeting was held in 1948, 136 members attended — a strong sign that the community believed in the cooperative model.

Over the decades, the Co-op continued to evolve to meet the needs of its members and the communities it served.

🌲 1957 – The Co-op entered the lumber business, supporting local builders and farmers.
⛽ 1961 – The first Service Station opened in Estevan.
🛒 1962 – A new shopping centre and retail store was established.
🌾 1963 – Expansion beyond the city with the Frobisher branch.
🏗 1967 – The store underwent its first major expansion.
🤝 1969 – Operations expanded to Oxbow, continuing the Co-op’s regional growth.
🏠 1976 – The Home Centre was added to serve homeowners, builders and farmers.

🛍 1989 – Major renovations modernized the Estevan store.
🛒 1997 – The Oxbow Food Store reopened at it's new location, strengthening service in the community.
🛒 1999 – The Estevan Food Store reopened following a major redevelopment.
🤝 2003 - Operations expanded to Carlyle.
🌱 2007 – Expansion of the Agro Centre to better support local agriculture.
🚜 2022 – A new Agro facility and fertilizer plant opened to meet the evolving needs of producers.
🛒 2024 – The new Carlyle Food Store celebrated its Grand Opening on November 14, continuing the Co-op’s investment in the region and its members.

What began as the Estevan Co-operative Association has grown into Southern Plains Co-op, with a Team of over 230 who are proudly serving members and communities across Estevan, Carlyle, Oxbow, Alameda and surrounding areas.

While the stores, services and communities have grown over the past 80 years, the foundation remains the same.

❤️ Local ownership
🤝 Community investment
🌾 Neighbours supporting neighbours

To our members, team members and communities — thank you for being part of this journey.

Here’s to 80 years of co-operation… and the generations still to come.