Co-op store

Pitcairn opens its first Co-op store

Free tins of corned beef, the island’s first concrete - block building, and a site bought for a shilling were highlights of the

opening recently of Pitcairn

Island’s co-op store.

Pitcairn Co-operative has operated since 1967 when a South Pacific Commission officer stationed on the island helped Pitcairners get it going, but up fill recent months the Co-op shop was merely part of the local school.

Vi McCoy saw the need for a Co-op on its own and sold it (for a 1/-) a piece of land on the island’s main road, near Adamstown Square.

A shop was planned immediately and work started with cement blocks: Pitcairners joined in to experiment with the blocks and Jacob Warren became building supervisor.

Work proceeded successfully and before long goods were on the shelves of the new shop and the Co-op was ready for business in its new store. Children at the school were able to use the much needed space left by the Co-op.

An official opening was held, and almost all of Pitcairn’s 85-odd people gathered to hear the Co-op’s chair man, Pastor W. G. Ferris, outline the Co-op’s two-year-old history. Mr.

Warren then declared the shop “Open” and with showmanship, cut a bandage-ribbon across the shop’s front door.

Then those after bargains went inside to buy goods; others enjoyed tea on the shop verandah. For Pitcairners who helped build the shop, the co-op committee gave away fins of corned beef.

Pitcairn’s monthly newspaper, Miscellany, said; “The building itself is well-constructed, has adequate shop space and a good storage space underneath and in time to come it is hoped we may have a refrigerator and be able to store perishables which would be a great advantage here now that shipping has become so irregu lar and uncertain.

“Who knows, perhaps everyone may come to buy more and more of their stores locally and so build up a big enough profit to enable this thought to become a reality.”