Each Friday, The Salt Lake Tribune presents historic images in a special series called A Look Back. This week's installment features historic images of Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution. Founded by Brigham Young on Oct. 9, 1868, ZCMI gave Mormon businesses a price advantage ordering from wholesalers, who at the time were engaging in price gouging practices. The cooperative is also regarded as America's first department store.
Every gallery of the series is available at www.sltrib.com/topics/lookback.
sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.
Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.
You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.