BARRHEAD - It has been a decade since the Neerlandia Co-op has been in its current location.
To celebrate the continuing milestone, the business hosts its annual Mid-Summer Extravaganza on the Heritage Day long weekend. This year, the event took place on Aug. 2.
Neerlandia Co-op manager Steve DeVries said the Co-op has been a fixture in the community for well over a decade, noting the business has been serving the hamlet and the surrounding area for over 100 years.
The Neerlandia Co-op was founded by a group of the community's original settlers in 1922.
However, he said, the Co-op and the community were dealt a blow in June 2013 when a fire destroyed the Neerlandia Co-op Home and Farm Centre. At the time, the structure was only seven years old.
The fire started in the warehouse, quickly going through a firewall before engulfing the rest of the building.
No one was seriously injured, as staff and customers were able to evacuate the building, but two firefighters received medical treatment for minor injuries.
Over 20 firefighters from four fire departments responded to the blaze, including Barrhead Regional Fire Services, Rich Valley, Jarvie and Westlock.
As difficult as the loss was, DeVris said, "We as a community persevered."
Less than two years later, in 2015 Neerlandia Co-op celebrated the grand opening of its new Home and Garden Centre.
A year and a half later, in the spring, the food store, restaurant, and liquor stores opened their doors.
To acknowledge the challenges the business has faced over the decades, it has preserved several historical artifacts, specifically referring to two planters damaged in the fire.
"The Neerlandia Co-op is much more than buildings. It is our staff, our customers, and as important, the community," and we are proud to help bring our community together," DeVries said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
