Once upon a time (in the 1960s), my husband and I were touring the area and drove north out of Bellingham and chanced upon an old man in a little lean-to by the road. He was making shakes out of cedar blocks using a froe and a mallet. We watched and talked for a while and asked him if he was from this area. His reply was “Oh, no! I didn’t get here until nineteen ought eight”. Like that, I wasn’t from here and didn’t get here until 1983.

We had some property here and decided to settle for a while, develop the property and see what life was like in Skagit County. We found the Co-op in a little wooden building on 2nd street next to Pine Square, we bought a membership and volunteered. Our pink truck made many trips to Seattle to transport “stuff” for the Co-op: cheese, a variety of foodstuffs, sacks of flour, and sacks of coffee from a funky little coffee business on Airport Way. It had this funny name, Starbucks.

I think there were ten or twelve Co-op members at the meeting when the first Board was elected. We were on the Board in desperation! Sombody(ies) had to do it! The first Board meeting was at a concrete table in Pine Square just outside the Co-op store. The first business was to find a new location and move. It happened. The Co-op moved into the present building occupying the space that once was Karl’s Paints. The Co-op, the entire Co-op, occupied the area which is now the produce department. Pat’s Dress Shop next door decided to quit, and the Co-op grabbed the opportunity to grow, by taking over that space.

In a previous time, the building had been occupied by J.C. Penney Co., but they opted to move to the new Mall. Then, ACE Hardware moved into the space where the deli is now. ACE moved into its own building and the Co-op grabbed the opportunity to expand into all of the first floor.

All of these expansions involved lots of remodeling work. It is a tribute to Todd Wood, his planning and management, to note that during all of these expansions the Co-op was open for business. Only once did the Co-op close and that was for one day. That gave the Co-op enough space to establish a real OFFICE! Growing so fast, we even had babies. (I can remember entering the office with babies in blankets on the floor, the epitome of bring-your-kid-to-work!) After this expansion the only way was UP, so a purchase of the building was negotiated, and the Board borrowed money to accomplish this, and it was a large sum of money. Our management began paying off the principal, and in three years the Co-op owned the building free and clear.

The new Board had many responsibilities needing immediate work. The Board decided to try that new-fangled equipment called a computer for the bookkeeper. The matter of compensation for our working staff needed immediate attention, and with that was the issue of volunteer workers. Parking was becoming a real problem, insurance was necessary, policies were needed. Volunteering was discussed and re-discussed but when the issue of insurance for volunteers came before the Board it was decided that the Co-op couldn’t afford volunteers. However, the annual inventory was done by many volunteers and became a party when it was finished.

The Co-op Building is actually two buildings joined at the hip so to speak. The older one, the one right at the corner, has a plaque up high which states Knights of Pythias, 1913. When the Co-op arrived, the upstairs area of the Pythias building was one big open space probably used for meetings and dances. The access to the second floor of the Pythias building was a staircase in the northeast corner of the Co-op. The two buildings were opened to each other and space was transformed into usable offices and meeting space by the previous owners and before the Co-op bought the building.

Digressing a bit, Skagit County was of interest in the 1800s for communal living efforts. North of Sedro-Woolley, the Utopia community was established and flourished into the early 20th century. The area around Bow saw a big communal society established with administrative headquarters in Edison. In the same period, a lot of fraternal societies developed, and The Knights of Pythias was one of those fraternal organizations. It was dedicated to supporting each other and helping any member in need. These fraternal organizations frequently created insurance for members which was an attractive addition.

The Greek legend of Damon and Pythias, readily found on the internet, is a tale of remarkable friendship and, for me, relates to our co-operative friendship. It is pleasing that our Co-op has this Pythias connection.

The Board discussed the sale of beer and wine with one member insisting that the membership should be consulted for approval or not. It was approved. The Board pushed for a “sit-down deli” while still in cramped space. It became known as the “deli-next-door”.

Parking was such a big issue. Interior development made office space for department managers, storage space, a facility to make our own ice cream, a bakery, a coffee roaster, a meeting room. The Co-op was doing very well and needed more parking space. Finally, the Co-op leased the lot across Washington street which helped with the parking issue. The parking facility on the east side of the overpass was very desirable. It had a building also. There was another building behind and all was owned by the County.

The Co-op wanted to buy the parking lot and building but found that the county could not sell it without a public auction. In due time, an auction date was announced, and the Board began discussion of possibilities. It was decided to try to buy it, a maximum amount that the Co-op could afford was decided upon, and Board members were primed and ready to bid on the lot and building. Interested parties appeared in the corridor outside the county treasurer office; the Co-op Board members were there and a group of business men in suits, ties. A prelude to a brisk auction perhaps. The county treasurer described the property and announced the minimum bid. The Board representative made that bid. The treasurer offered three times for bids but no one spoke. Sold to the Co-op!! (It was exciting. I know because I was there!)

The Board has served the Co-op well. The worker compensation package is excellent. It includes medical coverage, a pension plan, a generous discount in-house, and monetary advancement. In early years, employees elected a representative to the Board but that was changed so that the membership would vote for an employee representative. In these later years, the Board has adopted Policy Governance, a different method of developing the Co-op and communicating with the General Manager.

It is a tribute to the Co-op, to the Board, and to Management that so many fine people worked together to make this business a success. The spirit of cooperation, the aura of friendship and consideration has made this a most successful organization. Thank you to all and everyone of new and old Board members wherever you are.

Now back to your gardening. I have so many friends that garden seriously, and I have been encouraged to join the “melee”. But “NO,” I say, “My garden is in the produce department of the Co-op. It is my source of nourishment and solace for my spirit.”

By Mariana Foliart

The Co-op Story