Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Winter.
Hi Gloria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
The Ephraim Co-op started as a dream. The building itself has a rich history. It was built in 1872 by the Danish in Greek Revival design. It was one of the first ZCMI stores to serve the area’s Scandinavian pioneers. After several different owners, the building went into disrepair. People in the city wanted to tear it down.
A few citizens stood in front of the equipment and refused to let them touch it. The people who saved it knew they had to preserve the rich history. As the building was being saved, an idea began to form. A large business had left the area, and about 400 people lost their jobs. Being in a remote area, a few visionaries decided to start a Co-op to provide local crafters a place to sell their creations. They incorporated into a 501C3 in June of 1989, and the Sanpete Trade Association DBA Ephraim Co-op was born.
We started with 12 crafters and now, after 33 years, we have about 70 crafters. All items are juried for quality control, and all workers are volunteers. We have a large reception hall upstairs that can be rented for weddings, receptions, dances, and many other events. The store sells many Scandinavian items to reflect the Scandinavian heritage of the area. The store won the best Small Business award of the 8 western states in 2012.
We continue to provide a wide variety of handmade items, many ones of a kind and made with love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
During the 1970s, when they were starting to find grants to save the building, one of the requirements was to put a roof on the building to qualify. The ladies in the area went to work.
In 1976, they draped a parachute from the south side of the building to another historical building and had the first Scandinavian Days. They had craft booths, food booths, dancers, and music all day long. It was the start of a tradition that is approaching its 50th year. They raised the funds, got the new roof, and got the grant.
The business started in the basement of the local bank until the building was finished in 1992. They dedicated the building during the Scandinavian Days in 1993.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The business is not just one person.
There have been so many involved with our success. Thousands of volunteer hours, many crafters creating unique items to sell, and the Scandinavian beginnings that led to us being known as the place to go for specialty items from that region. We are a hub during the Scandinavian Days, and we also have a special Santa Lucia event in mid-December to keep the heritage alive.
We are unique. I think the thing we are most proud of is we took an eyesore in the center of town and created what is now known as the “Jewel of The City”. We are also equally proud of the men and women that provided their talents to help the economy in this small community.
What do you think about happiness?
I am a volunteer at the store.
I only work about 8 days a month, but what makes me happy is meeting new people. Interacting with so many different and diverse men and women and learning about where they come from. I love to see the happy faces of those that use the upstairs social hall for their events. I love chocolate. LOL, I’m the fudge lady here at the store.
My husband works with me, and that also brings me joy.
Contact Info:
- Email: ephraimcoop@gmail.com
- Facebook: Ephraim Co-op Mercantile Association
