Historians have emphasized heavily American consumerism, as both a right and a ritual. The Nikkei were not cut off from this right either, mostly through cooperatives patterned after the famous pioneer at Rochdale, England. The cooperatives were just as remarkable as other Nikkei accomplishments. The Manzanar Cooperative was one of the earliest and most successful. Cooperatives developed under Nikkei tutelage as soon as they set foot in the center. Drawing on their already developed business skills and commercial contacts, the Nikkei developed their own organizations. The co-ops proved profitable from the beginning to an entrepreneurial people and membership was well nigh universal. In addition, members had access to shops in the small towns near them and, through catalogues, to the mail order giants Sears and Montgomery Ward. The co-ops also provided a social meeting place and employed as many of 222 residents.