Mountain Equipment

Mountain Equipment Co-op (now called 1077 Holdings Co-operative) was a Canadian co-op that started the MEC outdoor gear retail brand. The MEC brand name, assets and store leases were purchased by the American private investment firm Kingswood Capital Management's subsidiary Mountain Equipment Company in October 2020. 1077 Holdings Co-operative remains active to deal with the remaining claims by creditors and will be wound up at some point in the future. Mountain Equipment Co-op was formed as a Canadian consumers' co-operative to sell outdoor recreation gear and clothing exclusively to its members. Mountain Equipment Co-op was notable for its commitment to environmental protection and other causes. As a co-op, Mountain Equipment Co-op sold only to customers who held a lifetime membership, which was technically a share of the co-op.