Ann Arbor Cooperative Society

The Ann Arbor Cooperative Society was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1936 as a group of individuals banding together to purchase rock salt and coal. As the venture was successful it branched out to include other consumer areas such as groceries, gasoline and a credit union in the early years, expanding further to include an insulation company, insurance, legal, and tax services, trailer parks, recreational facilities and a memorial advisory and planning service as time passed. The purpose of the cooperative was to protect and advance the interests of its members as consumers and to provide quality items and services at reasonable prices.

The Society expanded throughout its first decade, growing from a bulk coal and salt buying club to include cooperative gas stations, grocery, and appliance store, testing and grading its products and educating members about cooperative ideals. However, the Society offered many of these services below cost, and could not keep operations running. The food and appliance stores disbanded around 1952, with the gas stations folding shortly thereafter.

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