Archives West Finding Aid

The Co-op Service, a chain of gas stations, was originally incorporated in 1941, as a subsidiary of Utah Cooperative Association (UCA), under the name of Salt Lake Consumer Co-op Service. In 1959 the Articles of Incorporation were amended, changing the name of the cooperative to Co-op Service. (A cooperative is a business owned and controlled by the people who use its services.) Within three weeks of deciding to open a cooperative, UCA had leased the land on Seventh South and Main Street, Salt Lake City and remodeled the existing building. The cooperative opened for business February 28, 1941 with thirty-seven dollars of net worth and five-thousand dollars in borrowed assets. The first station was equipped with four gasoline pumps, an outdoor wash rack, and hoist to provide basic car care, lube and tire services to consumers. Fifteen years later the Co-op moved to Roberta Street and Ninth South. Three more Co-op stations opened in Bountiful, Orem and along Redwood Road. All four stations served as official state vehicle safety inspection stations.

Membership in the Co-op association is evidenced by a stock certificate. Benefits of membership entitled each stock holder to one vote at the annual election meetings and an annual cash refund at the years end. Members received a monthly newspaper which recorded the Co-op's activities and offered helpful tips about car maintenance, including winterization, lighting and tire varieties. Additionally, members participated in cooperative contests, dinners and promotional meetings.

In June 1964, because of continuous low sales, the Orem station shut down. In 1973 the OPEC oil crisis caused the price of crude oil to triple and consequently, unprecedented inflation followed. These economic forces increased the cost of operation at the service stations and the Co-op lost too much money to recover their profits. By 1981 the Co-op was taking steps to liquidate the service stations and minimize financial losses. The Bountiful station and Redwood Road station were sold in 1983. The Ninth South station in Salt Lake City was sold in 1986. The Board of Directors remained intact until the sales were finalized in 1989.