1

Craigs "The Peoples Store" opened up the business in 1898 and have celebrated over 100 years retailing in Olds.

2

W.M. Craig, founder of the Craig retail establishment.
1898
Olds NWT Canada
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3

W.M. Craig came from Compton Quebec in the early 1890's to start a family business. He began in Saskatchewan with a general store partnership and then carried on to Calgary where he tried his hand with cattle. It was in 1898 that he settled in Olds and founded "W.M. Craig & Co. The People's Store".

4

The Craig brothers opened The Peoples Store" in Olds at the turn of the 19th century
6 June 1898
Olds NWT Canada
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5

In 1900 W.M. Craig moved his expanding business into Logan's Hall. Soon after this move he had to double the size of his premises. Included in this picture are W.M., C.G., and W.D. Craig

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S.J. (Sam) Criag joined his brother W.M. Craig to help run 'W.M. Craig, the People's Store'.
1907
Olds NWT Canada
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W.M. had a close family and his three brothers: R.L., S.J., and C.G. came west to Olds. All four Craig's became known as leaders in business, religion and community life. They were also known for their impressive houses along 50th Street.

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C.G. Craig formed a partnership with W.M. in 1907.
1907
Olds NWT Canada

9

W.D. Craig and his new bride join his uncles in the retail business, 1908.
1908
Olds, Alberta, Canada
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10

It was in the September of 1907 that C.G. and his family moved to Olds. He and his wife Abbie had three children: W.D., Prescot, and Kenneth Craig. They had been greeted with a horrible snow storm. After surviving the winter, C.G. became partners with his brother and was soon joined by his sons, W.D. and Prescot, in the family business.

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Part 2 of '100 years of retailing at W.M. Craig and Co., The Peoples Store'.
2 December 1898
Olds NWT Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


12

W.M.Craig & Co. "The Peoples Store" was a typical general store of the 1900's served the needs of the community. It had groceries, hardware, dry goods, and you could even order your first car. Folks bought all their supplies by the bulk. A grocery list could consist of 1200 lbs. of flour and 460 lbs. of sugar. There was no store bought bread in those times.
According to Norman Craig "the store acted as a banker and a wholesaler as well as the retail side. The customers would bring in their crops to pay for the credit they had for the year. There were huge storage sheds in the back. The store would then ship the crop to Calgary and get the credit or cash they needed for the transaction. The store was the lifeblood of commerce in the area. They were the bankers, and the brokers for the settlers. The store was only paid once a year with the settler's goods, and the settlers had a year's line of credit with the store."