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Equity Co-op to celebrate 100th next Wednesday

While deconstruction takes place across the street on the old grain elevator, the new construction at Equity Co-op in Malta is complete as the local business prepares for their 100th Anniversary Celebration next Wednesday, November 9.

"It's sad to see that go, but it is out with the old and in with the new," Equity Co-op manager Mark French said. "Those old elevators are becoming obsolete, but there is also an upgrade and improvement at the main store, so it's not a completely sad story."

According to Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, there are only 27 businesses and organizations still operating in Montana that registered with the office in 1916, Malta's Equity Co-op is among those 27.

"We hope that everyone in the county comes down to help us celebrate our 100th," French said. "We are proud to have been in business for the past 100 years and we look forward to seeing everyone at our big celebration."

Since April of this year, the Equity Co-op building has undergone a massive transformation including the addition of 72-sqaure feet of new floor space to display items for sale that used to be tucked away out of sight. Back in 1916, Equity Co-op was mostly based around the grain elevator across the street from the today's store on 1st Street East. Today, the Co-op has expanded to where it takes up most of the 400-block of street and offers customers everything from automotive repair to farming supplies while employing a dozen people.

Wednesday, at the 100th Celebration, a customer appreciation lunch will be held starting at noon and there will be drawings, give-aways and sales through out the store.

"We hope you will come join us for lunch followed with some cake and other treats," French added.

Equity Co-op is locally owned by several hundred members of the community, each holding one share of the company at $200 a share. French said the company has a board of directors who are voted on at Equity's annual meetings.

 

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