Nipigon in Thunder Bay District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Consumers Co-op Store

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022

1. Consumers Co-op Store Marker

Inscription.
In 1920, a group of Nipigon residents formed the Consumers Co-op store to try to control rising food and clothing prices. For the sum of five dollars, an individual could buy one share in the co-op. The store opened in 1926, and served the community for the next 25 years. Fifty years later, local seniors still proudly display some of the original share certificates.

The Zechners bought the co-op building in 1959 for their new business, Marshall Wells Hardware. Other stores at that location have sold furniture, crafts and baked goods.

The Nipigon Bottling Works was attached to the rear of the co-op. Tom Lauila and later his son Toivo ran the bottling business from 1923 to 1969.

In 2002, a resource centre for families and a jewelry store occupy the former co-op premises. Drivers' licenses and permits are issued in the old bottling works.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 49° 0.836′ N, 88° 15.828′ W. Marker is in Nipigon, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. Marker is on Railway Street just north of 4th Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the front/east facade of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 155 Railway Street, Nipigon ON P0T 2J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Nipigon River Drives (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nipigon Café (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nipigon Service Garage / Palace Theatre (about 90 meters away); Lest We Forget (about 90 meters away); The Taylor House (about 120 meters away); In Tribute to John Salo (about 120 meters away); Nipigon Historical Museum / The Railway (about 120 meters away); McKirdy / Vivone House (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nipigon.

Marker detail: International Workers Day, May 1929 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum

2. Marker detail: International Workers Day, May 1929

Workers in Nipigon parade past the Consumers Co-operative Store on International Workers Day, May 1929.

Marker detail: Tommy Lauila, 1928 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum

3. Marker detail: Tommy Lauila, 1928

This 1928 photo shows Tommy Lauila standing beside his delivery van used to haul cases of Coca Cola.

Marker detail: Marshall Wells Hardware image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum

4. Marker detail: Marshall Wells Hardware

Marshall Wells Hardware was a fixture on Railway Street, for many years. E.C. Everett photo 1961

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022

5. Consumers Co-op Store Marker

(marker is on left side of front window)

Children Aid Society & Nipigon-Red Rock Gazette Store Fronts image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022

6. Children Aid Society & Nipigon-Red Rock Gazette Store Fronts

(marker is located at center of the contemporary store fronts)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 43 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.