The setting up of the Amache Consumers
Enterprises, Inc., the local consumer's co-operative, had the
most affect upon the evacuees. On January 11, 1943 the drive
began for charter membership. Within a few weeks the total capital
for the co-operative had reached $25,000 making it one of the
largest organizations of its kind in Colorado (Holsinger
1960: 58). On January 25, 1943 the co-operative was incorporated
into the National Co-operative Inc, in Chicago, Illinois. The
membership contained 2,387 residents from Amache.
Through the co-operative evacuees were
able to buy items which other Americans outside of the camp could
obtain during the war. The co-op building included a clothing
store, variety store, shoe store, cleaning and press agency,
barber and beauty shop, newspaper department, and photography
shop. During its first year in operation the co-operative grossed
$362,188.58 which equaled more than $30,000 per month (WRA
1944: 20).
