Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2005 and 2006
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| Name: | Tim Mobley |
| Email : | mobley_insurance@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | ...Worked at the San Bernardino store. First "real" job out of high school. A lot of GREAT memories. Made some really good friends. Would like to make contact again with Larry Little(Stereo Dept) and Matt Brown (Domestics). |
| Name: | Jeff Wulff |
| Email : | ojwulff@surewest.net |
| Comments: | I worked at the following stores:
La Puente 09/78 to 07/82 Fullerton (Yorba Linda Blvd) 10/80 to 07/82 Fullerton (Harbor Blvd) 09/82 to 09/85 San Gabriel 09/85 to 04/86 Fresno 04/86 to 12/86 (Company Closure) |
| Name: | jim tucker |
| Email : | larchmont115@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco Huntington Beach.... I remember in 1979 my first job and before sexual harrassment cases started our store manager use to chase the girl employees thru the store trying to kiss them... It was a different world in the 70s |
| Name: | Bill Smothers |
| Email : | wsmothers@sc.rr.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working in many different stores and departments allowed me to make so many new friends. |
| Comments: | I started in the San Gabriel grocery department in 1964. After the military I worked in Glendora shoe department with periods in LaPuente, Pomona, Woodland Hills, Anaheim and Simi. In early 70's I went to non-foods side in Glendora and opened the Pacoima store as auto manager. Dropped to part time so I could finish college and every Christmas I was relegated to the refund, layaway and exchange desk-got a whole new perception on the holiday season ! |
| Name: | Pat S. |
| Email : | patricia5000@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Friends from working there. I worked at #507(Sacramento, 10th and Broadway) 1966-1971. I worked in Sporting Goods, Variety, the registers and the front desk. It was fun. |
| Comments: | Thanks for doing this!! Anyone else out there work at this store around this time? |
| Name: | Ellen Burns Creakbaum |
| Email : | creakbaum@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO parties and working the front desk at the opening and closing of the store in Houston Texas. |
| Comments: | The job I had at GEMCO enabled me to get my education. I will always be grateful for that job and also for the fun we had as we worked. |
| Name: | David Hockaday |
| Email : | david.hockaday@kraft.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory? Too many to pick just one. Working at Gemco was really fun. There were so many great people there. My social life revolved around all of the people I worked with. We had some great times. |
| Comments: | I worked for Gemco #509 in Redwood City and store #535 in Mountain View from 1977 to 1986. I stared as a cart boy at the age of 17 and did a lot of "growing up" in my time at Gemco. It was a great training ground in a lot of respects, ( both professionally and personally). Gemco was ahead of their time. I wish they were still around. If they were I would probably still be there. |
| Name: | Gary Quiring |
| Email : | gquiring@mac.com |
| Website: | http://web.mac.com/gquiring |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being a lower level manager (#4) and working the "B Shift" = Be there to open and be there to close. OK, not my favorite memory but I love the phrase. Actually, I loved working the store, both from the great fellow employees and from making our customers enjoy shopping at the store. |
| Comments: | My father (Peter) and two of my sisters worked at Gemco up until it closed. My father and I were "Gemco Gypsys", as we moved from store to store for both promotional and personal reasons. I started at the Cerritos store and ended at the Fresno Store. Ten stores over twelve years. I left to become an elementary school teacher, and now work at the CA Dept. of Ed. I learned a lot of valuable life lesson working for Gemco that helped when I moved into teaching. For example, if you want to make sure paperwork and other items get done on time, make sure you get along and have a good relationship with the store/school secretary. |
| Name: | George Ramos |
| Email : | gramosjr@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working the Xmas tree lot was always my favorite tiem of the year. |
| Comments: | I enjoyed working with everyone at the Bellflower Store (#529), it was the best job I ever had! I worked at #529 from 1981-87 when I closed the store with Ray Castro (#3 store manager.) |
| Name: | Lisa |
| Email : | smallenfamily@eoni.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas time cashiering at GEMCO was MADNESS! I remember the first year Cabbage Patch Dolls came out . . . . WOW! People fighting to get one. Crazy! |
| Comments: | I worked at GEMCO 507 in Sacramento while I attended college and later moonlighted at the Chico store until I couldn't keep up with all the hours. LOVED 507 and all the great friends I made there . . . . . Duane, Ralph, Wendy, Marion, Eddie . . . Great Times! |
| Name: | Larry |
| Email : | lagroup@juno.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GOOD MEMORIES? The friends. Monday's off with those
same friends. Some good 2's and 3's (Ron I. at 535). Inventory Caller
with a cute writer (Barbara M.) and the free lunch at the Menu Tree
(about the only free thing the company ever gave). Phony pages to
another store (usually 503) using a tie-line phone (drove 'em nut's).
The yearly picnic. Mike P.'s trunk full of cold beer in the employee
parking lot on Friday nights. Good rep's especially Marty from
Nusbaum-Levy. The secret early warning system when DM Ralph Goldman was
in-route to the store (stop stocking and price changes--Ralph wants to
see "Member Service" only. A decent and relatively fun place to work
when you're young. The Lucky Federal Credit Union (easy financing for
my first new car at a young age!).
BAD MEMORIES? Retail Clerk's Union rep's. Price changes before UPC bar codes (always UP, even on existing stock). Stocking motor oil, mixing paint, and nightly facing. 10 Variety call's. Snack Bar food (though you could call ahead, if Wilma was working, and your Chili Cheeseburger would be ready by the time you walked over there [the snack bar wasn't the cleanest concession in the store though]). |
| Comments: | I started at 535 (Mtn. View) in about 1975 at the age
of 19 as a 29C (cart boy). After a month moved into Variety, Hardware
(which included small electrics (remember the shower massage end-cap
demo machine?), stationary, lamps, etc. -- the biggest dept. in
Variety. Turned down a DH (you only get the offer once they would say)
then got fired for mis-marking merchandise for friends (my fault and my
regrets). But really some of the best young years working of my life.
Shared a big house with three other GEMCO guy's (they worked at 503 and
509) and didn't have to work with them but we lived together great. We
had the most fantastic keggar parties at the house for GEMCO friends.
Legend. Looking back it was a great business retailing model for the
time; clean, well ordered, and unique. But an "88" came for GEMCO.
Sorry to see it go. That's the past. Thanks for the chance to remember
and share. I learned alot and am better for my time at GEMCO.
P.S. Remember that company policy stated that employee's had to be a "Member", with card? Go figure. |
| Name: | Jack |
| Email : | jlamm1@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I remember the old Gemco in Rancho Cucamonga on Foothill Boulevard; so many back-to-school days spent there. Yes, I received the typical teasing by the wealthier kids because I shopped at Gemco. But, I think our's had an Orange Julius inside or at least a snack bar that had their drinks. Good times. |
| Comments: | Anyone with more photos of this great retailer, I'm glad to accept. Also, looking for southern California Zody's signage. I spent years revolving around Gemco, Zody's and TG&Y. Life was so much simpler then. |
| Name: | Terry Wardlow |
| Email : | warplow@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I remember how goofy it all was. Secret codes on price stickers, creating and hand rolling ink to make up the sale signs, and a lackadaisical attitude right up to the crack of the whip. One day I heard one of he Managers say, "I don't care how expensive gas gets, I just want to know for sure that I can get it." He said that while filling his tank at the GEMCO gas station at the store in San Bernardino. I realized then that there was a chasm between managements pay and mine. |
| Comments: | It was fun. It was my second job out of high school and we opened the San Bernardino store. I liked working the night crew for seasonal. Easy work, little supervision, and free run in the store. The night crew had to have grocery staff come in to record our early morning purchases. Days were okay, too. I worked hardlines and garden. Nice interaction with customers who expected to be treated as "member." Oh yeah, I have one more goofy. I'm sure it was state of the art, but how many remember checking credit cards against "the list." Weren't we supposed to do something like compare, call, and then refuse to give the bad cards back? I'm sure that was normal, but it soured me to running cash registers in general, and the ones in Garden and Small Appliances specifically. I learned a lot about softlines retail from GEMCO, but then I moved into hardlines, lumber, and construction materials. I am most recently a CAD designer in the CATV industry, though now I am medically retired. Special hello to Larry and Nancy. |
| Name: | Marian Nuss-Brisbin |
| Email : | mbrisbin@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Sitting in the snack bar during breaks with my
friends...
Working with so many of my high school friends... Oh, our Christmas parties! They were so fun! |
| Comments: | Gemco, Gardena, was my very first job. I loved it! It
was like a big happy family, we were all so close! I have only good
memories of working there. Thanks for this site... I ran across it on accident. It is fun to be nostalgic! Hello to my favorite co-workers.. Larry McMahon, Rita Saldamando, Sharon, Laurie Matthews, Mary Tsai, Pat Hiraga, Talbert, Steve in Optometry, and so many more!!! |
| Name: | Scott Shafer |
| Email : | SAS111@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Granada Hills from 1978 pushing in the carts to 1982 as a Department head. Favorite memory, the Thanksgiving, Turkey Bowls. |
| Comments: | I started in 1978 pushing in the shopping carts and stayed until 1982. I also worked at Woodland Hills for several months in 1983. Worked with alot of great people over those years, Matt Newman, Steve Hozinsky, Dan Nunn. I remember alot of great people too Pauline and Steve in Patio Dept., Maryann and Kathy at the reception desk, Gene in automotive, Gary in sporting goods and all the others in the credit office, warehouse and clothing Dept. Can't remember all the name but still think about them all. What ever happen to Rex Ogamachi? |
| Name: | Tim Parker |
| Email : | tpdesignimpact@earthlink.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | coming in at 7am to water all the plants in the garden on the weekends....quiet, peaceful, sunny, Weber bbq reps coming in and cooking a turkey in the store....setting up all the patio furniture before the summer season, taking breaks in the snack bar with friends/co-workers, coming in on Thursday (heading to the beach) to pick up my paycheck, Monday ski trips to Big Bear |
| Comments: | I worked at the Cerritos store #520 from the time I was
17 in high school (1979)until the end in 1986 when I was graduating
from college. At the time i was sad that the store was closing, but I
was embarking on my new profession- Landscape Architecture. I would
never have another job that had as many benefits or commraderie that I
felt working at Gemco. I didnt appreciate then what was so great
working there like...... Frank Farcone(#2), Keri Combs(#4), Dixie
Campbell(Health & Beauty), Laurie Brown(reception), Jeff St
Hilaire, Bill Featherstone(Patio Mgr.), Linda Knight....I would love to
hear from Kerri Combs who helped me tremendously get into the Landscape
Architecture program in school!
I'm forever grateful, she didnt have to do what she did to help me, it was what so special about working there, was the friendships we made, even with the management. They became friends! #520- Represent! |
| Name: | Russell Walton |
| Email : | Greatcall1@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at #522 Gardena, Ca. 1979-86. It was a blast
working there. I started out as a "cart-boy" pushing in baskets. Like
many former employees of Gemco, we were like family at our store. There
are so many people and happy memories of those days. Luckys really blew it, by closing down such a great chain of stores. I have never run across anyone that use to shop Gemco that didn't love the store. Whenever the word Gemco is mentioned, it is usually followed by "I use to LOVE GEMCO!!" |
| Comments: | This page is a great idea. |
| Name: | Tomas Esqueda |
| Email : | t.esqueda@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Meeting the girl I married at the Fresno, Ca store #525. And running through the store on Monday's having fights with those stupid plastic fruits. Man those things hurt! |
| Comments: | Many great memories made at this place while I worked
my way through college. The people I worked with, working in the night
crew during the holidys, the Sunday night football games against the
grocery guys, inventory Mondays, etc. To this day I still keep in touch
with many of the folks I worked with in varirty and soft goods. We are trying to get a list of employees together to see if there's any interest in a reunion. Please contact me if you ever worked at the 525 store in Fresno at the corner of First and Shields. |
| Name: | Mike Sutton |
| Email : | pestguy66@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Just remembered more people, another great manager was
Brady Moore!! Gina Fiamingo(?) Lisa, the "GREAT" Ron Carter, and George
"Jorge" Ramos!!! Richardo, Ray Castro, Bob Boyd, Jim Mulligan, and our
store manager was Jeff Perinni(?). Great store, crappy location.
Bellflower, ca
store#529 |
| Name: | Mike Sutton |
| Email : | pestguy66@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://n/a |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I enjoyed working with alot of good people, it was for a short time, but 1985-86 was alot of fun!!! After what happened to all the long time exployees and how they where treated, I NEVER SHOPPED AT LUCKY'S!!! I am glad that Albertons bought them out!!!! |
| Comments: | Store 529 in Bellflower, calif. I started as a cartboy, then was lucky enough to move inside and work hardware and the sports dept. My favorite manager was old "C.W" Chuck Wolford!!! I would like to know how John Shelton is doing and Jesse Bosque. Also all the "hotties" Eshter Myers!!! |
| Name: | Mary Fredrickson |
| Email : | maryfredrickson@adelphia.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working with Joe and Cliff and especially Marge |
| Comments: | I worked int he Sparks Store in Nevada. Does anyone
know where I can go to claim my pension?
Thanks Mary |
| Name: | Jan Woertink (O'Brien) |
| Email : | lgrecords@earthlink.net |
| Website: | http://www.LegendGoldRecords.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked Gemco 502 La Puente from 1974 until December
1986.
Nancy Goldbloom and I were the last to leave that sad day. We sat across the street at McDonalds and watched the remaining managers load up their cars with assembled bikes that they hid in the meat department coolers. 1986 was a very sad year as the NASA challenger just vanished infront of our major appliance department tv's walking down the main isle, everybody stopped in horror. Then we heard the bad news that we were closing. How could that be, we just received new computers and everyone was in training. We had alot of good people and alot of good times and fond memories. As a Patio manager I was informed by a customer that our new item "grow light" and planter had marijuana growing in it. I pulled the plant and threw it away. When my part time patio guys (Ed and Cam) came in at five o'clock to work, they immediately noticed their new found wealth was no more, they hunted me down, picked me up and threw me in the outside patio dumpster! We had alot of regular customers who would come in daily, one gay couple (not that there is anything wrong with that) would always come in wearing short shorts and always look for the patio guys to help them. One employee (I won't mention his name) would run for the warehouse to escape their arrival as if it was contagious. My worst nightmare was a customer named Arlene Hoffman, she would want us to spend hours with her explaining how everything worked, how to clean it and how to assemble it, warranty info, and she would finally agree to buy the item only to find out her credit cards were over drawn and she had no cash. From that date on we would check her gemco credit to see if she had funds available before anyone would help her. Unfortunately I inherited her as my husbands AUNT! I lost touch with Nancy and Mary Kelly after Patrick and I moved to the high desert but I still have my memories of the good times in the warehouse with Ace and Ray and Mary and Ernie and a sad goodbye to Rudy Gonzales. I still hang with Edna Jones and Cathy Jablonsky (Cook). |
| Comments: | My favorite memento is a picture of a gentleman running with the 1984 olympic torch in his hand just as he goes by the GEMCO sign. |
| Name: | Pete Chilstrom |
| Email : | workload3@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Getting hired at Gemco for $2.03 an hour, when the minimum wage was $1.65 (1969) |
| Comments: | This is an updated posting.I worked @ La Puente, Glendora, Pomona, Anaheim, La Mirada, San Gabriel, & Tucson. Left 9 months prior to the end of a great store in 1985. Worked with too many to mention. I have heard from past employees and families of employees who have gone to the big department store in the sky. "All 10 Variety" |
| Name: | Ana Padilla |
| Email : | zmolek@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I think my favorite memory is being pursued by a particular manager, relentlessly. I had just had my third child and it did wonders for my self esteem. |
| Comments: | I worked at store #530 in San Diego on Balboa Ave and 805. I was there from 1978 until closing. I was fortunate to work with really good people. Which is why I'm here. I'm looking for someone I worked with from around 1979 until I think 1984. We partied every Monday at the Harbor House in Seaport Village and had some wild times. Remember Brownie's, Veronica???? I lost touch with her when she transferred to Lemon Grove or La Mesa? I don't know her last name now, it was Lee, then Frohn, then I don't remember. So if anyone knows anything about her could you please let me know. Thanks |
| Name: | Cindy Wagner (Gooding) |
| Email : | cinder75@sbcglobal.net |
| Website: | http://www.youravon.com/cwagner |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Lots of good memories, The guys & gals in the Patio Dept were great to work with. |
| Comments: | I worked at the Stockton, CA Gemco #518 from 1975 to the day they closed in Dec. 1986. Best company I ever worked for. We were such a family. I married the Western Hogee Rep.(Sporting Goods) We had quite a few Gemco couples at our store. I worked as a cashier in a few different departments but mostly the Patio Dept. |
| Name: | Alice Magdaleno |
| Email : | alice@bisongroup.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The going away parties for transfers.Triple time on holidays. Xmas on the jewelry counter. Being in awe of gladys piling thru the film processing files to find nude photos of our customers. Catching Mr Rappaport studing THE JOY OF SEX in the book dept @the age of 80. GREAT TIMES! |
| Comments: | 17YRS:San
Jose/E San Jose/ Mt View/Cupertino/Colma/4 Sac stores/NV. Fond memories
include Nan/Beth/Rosalie/Gladys/Phil @504. Rich weeks/Diane
Doanldson@538. Jamie @503.Reggie/Randy/THE NEW GUY @SAC:FULTON.
Marthel,Greg/Larry @sac:Riverside.MIM @Sparks
Andy Graham@Colma.EX-Wife of Tony Magdaleno. No regrets I got two great sons!Anybody remember the Brenda Harsha fiasco @504. 9 Store mgrs supeonaed in a paternity suit? Turns out the baby grew into the spitten image of the pet supply rep. REmember a code 16? |
| Name: | Anthony Reichardt |
| Email : | reichardtaj@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | As a kid in the 60's and 70's, my parents would shop at the SANTA ANA Gemco at Grand and 17th streets. The biggest memory I have of the place is the attractive woman who worked at the front desk where you had to show your membership card. She, herself, was a landmark at that store. Her name was NANCY and she worked there from when I first started going there until it closed in the mid 80's. She had the hugest, most platinum colored, teased up hair-do that never changed over the years. I had a crush on her from day one. She was always very friendly to everyone. I wonder what happened to her? The original building still stands and houses a Target store. When I go in there I can't believe I'm in the same building. You would nere know it. |
| Name: | Gene St. Hilaire |
| Email : | genenkona@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Frank Farcone tried playing a pratical joke on a fellow employee by switching the labels on a small can of green spray paint, and a can of aerosol deodorant. The employee didn't go for the trick and somehow, the can ended up back on the shelf. That Saturday, a very upset member was seen charging down the main aisle with a green bra in tow. It appears his very pregnant wife had it packed the "mislabeled" can in an overnight bag she had put together for her hospital stay. She went into labor with green armpits. Frank thought for sure he'd be fired; no one ever found out. He's now by boss @ Costco... I should have told Mike Mc Connell on him!!! |
| Comments: | Still enjoy checking out the guest book for new postings; found memories of a great company. Still married to Arnett Rubeshaw whom I met in 1976 @#529 Bellflower. We'll celebrate 27 years of marriage this Aug. Would love to hear from any fellow employees!! |
| Name: | Cindy Minehart |
| Email : | cynthiasphotography@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://cynthiasphotography.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Wow Hello to the Glendora crowd! My favorite memory is pulling a 24 hour shift with Laura Sutherland as we prepared for a big store inspection or something in the cosmetic dept. Only clocked in for 8 hours of it. That store had the biggest inpact on my career. |
| Comments: | After
Gemco, I went on to become a sales rep for a frame company out of LA. I
than went on to become a rep for Hasbro toys, who promoted me to
western regional sales manager covering 8 states. Kept me pretty busy.
My husband and I later opened a RV service and supply store in Rancho
Cucamonga, utilizing all my schemitic skills I obtained from Gemco. The
store is called Inland Valley RV. I am not there too much but some of
our customers are old employees. Matt Jones and Matt Jones out of the
Glendora store come in and it is Matt who told me about this. How
awesome. I am still married to Pete (27 great years). I have 2
daughters one who made me a grandma this year and one who will make me
a grandma again in August.
My husband runs the store and I am now a wedding photographer. I guess I don't stand still too long. Would love to hear from others! |
| Name: | Erika |
| Email : | weenst@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Granada Hills...my Mom always did all her grocery shopping at Gemco, we used the pharmacy, pictures developed, we ate there. My sister Ronda worked there for a short time. My best memory was meeting in the Gemco parking lot to find out where all the parties are at. Hanging in the parking lot was better then most the parties |
| Comments: | I do not remember the Northridge Gemco at all I was born in 1965 and I lived in Granada Hills forever. I find it unbelieveable that I can't remember it. |
| Name: | Yvonne |
| Email : | yvonnedstein@comast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | It might sound funny but GEMCO was such a part of my life growing up. (guess we didn't get out much) But it was a special store and now the building it was in is now a Target store. Every once in while, I have it flash though my mind, DO I HAVE MY GEMCO CARD?? |
| Comments: | great website, brought back fond memories of shopping with my mom and dad! |
| Name: | Steve Harden |
| Email : | Landshark1962@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Where I started in the grocery biz.....in 1979 (ugh) |
| Comments: | If not for our pal Asher the news would be about Gemco not Wally mart ! |
| Name: | alan abreu |
| Email : | toloharley@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://www.sabrenicaconcrete.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | going back to luckys gemco was to big he,he he |
| Comments: | what a cool suite i would like to start a suite like this for people who worked at luckys to some of us worked at booth stores. this is realy cool thank you for building this site i am going to post a pic of a lucky store on my concrete web site !! thanks big al vacaville ca |
| Name: | ron spradley |
| Email : | ronspradley@netscape.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked for Gemco from 1972 to 1983 in Houston Texas and Beaumont. 582, 584, in Houston and opened 585 in Beaumont, all as credit manager. Then went back to Houston to work for Sandy Sandoval in the Eagle Distribution Center as Major Appliance Warehouse manager. All great fun. Married Rebecca Zubik who was credit manager at 582. Still married to her, thank you very much. Would like to hear from anyone from the Houston, Beaumont area Gemco stores.. Also looking for info about retirement benefits because I do not have the contact information on that......hope to hear from y'all soon. |
| Name: | Just Wanted to Say |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Lots and Lots |
| Comments: | We know there were a few real ...
[From the Webmaster- I really hate to edit your post but this site is about the good times we had at Gemco. The things you mentioned happened over 20 years ago and the store management you bashed hopefully have changed their ways and surely don't want to be reminded of their old ways. Your postive post would be more than welcomed.] |
| Name: | Don Finney |
| Email : | dfinney2006@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So many great memories of the "Gemco Gang" we had such a wonderful bunch of people. I often wonder where we would all be today if Gemco would have survived.I can't drive by an old Gemco location with out thinking of all my friends. |
| Comments: | I would love to hear from anyone that remembers me or worked at Long Beach, Bakersfield, Visalia, Hunington Beach.All of us need to be proud of all the good things we did as Gemco employees |
| Name: | Bob Gillette |
| Email : | flyfisherguy@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to have a favorite! |
| Comments: | I worked at the Fresno, CA store for about 5 years in the grocery department. We all were like one big family and I miss everyone very much. It sure was fun on Mondays when the store was closed and we would do price changes and just have a good time with no cranky customers around! Anybody else from the Fresno store out there? Holla at me will ya? |
| Name: | Kathy (Balling, Hritz) Lisle |
| Email : | klisle@postregister.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working with everyone at Mission Viejo, Fullerton,
Chino & Glendora. Vividly remember store supervisor Jim Harris. Scary and funny. I was his store secretary for a while. Lots of crazy memories and fun. I was a clerk in the new Mission Viejo store when it opened, then went to Fullerton, then Chino (Dean Browning supervisor) ending up in Glendora when business closed. 1976 to 1986. I worked with too many crazy people to remember them all and partied hard with. Rick Ryan, Bill Saucer, Wil Maddux, Marty Mahler, Sarah Strahan, Robyn Beauchamp, so many more fun people I can't remember. I missed them for a long time. |
| Name: | Gary and Bonnie Spencer |
| Email : | Garbos7@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Wow--way too many! Lots and lots of great people and great memories. I did meet my wife while working at the Riverside store, I think it was in '79. We have been married 25 years now. She was a receptionist, and I was the #3 at the time. Went on a cruise and got married, still married and still crusin' |
| Comments: | My first real job was with Gemco--back in 1969 at the Cerritos store #520 in the patio dept with Clyde Preston. I went on to work at Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernadino and finally Phoenix. Haven't been in retail for 20 years or so, can't say I miss it, but sure do often think of alot of great people and times. If anyone remembers me or my wife Bonnie send me an email (and you know who you are---especially if you owe me money!!!--just kiddin!) |
| Name: | Pamela ( Linares) Payne |
| Email : | loveshearts38@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memories of Gemco,I have so many and one was finding my husband John Payne ( He was the Audio manager for 570). I started with Gemco Phx 808 in Nov 1981. Finished with Gemco Tucson 570 in 1986. Gemco was a awesome company to work for. Loved it! Anyone out there that worked with me, write me. Love to hear from you. :) Pam |
| Name: | Jeff Hancock |
| Comments: | I worked at the Simi Valley store and just typed "gemco 533" into a search engine and found your site. We had a manager named Steve Westerfield and Ron Spencer was the #1 manager of the store. I saw in the picture of the electronics department the Commodore line of computers. I have one of those from Gemco still in the garage! Thanks for the memories. |
| Name: | Paige Olson |
| Email : | paandes@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Going to the back door to find my dad in the produce department. |
| Comments: | My
dad worked at the Santa Maria, CA store when I was a kid. I was
wondering what had happened to the Chain, and found this site. His name
is Wendell Paul Rice, I think he went by Paul. He managed the grocery
department. At least I think he was a manager. I can't remember I was
just a kid then, I'm only 26 now. I was mad when target took the store
over. But that was like my childhood memory. LOL...anyways. Anyone from
Santa Maria who remembers my dad?
|
| Name: | Darlyne Waltz |
| Email : | darlyne_waltz@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Worked for one of the first Gemco stores in San Lorenzo (?) San Leandro, CA 1961-62 as a cashier. |
| Comments: | Anyone out there who worked there? |
| Name: | Zuberi |
| Email : | zubshak@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I have none. |
| Comments: | The reason I don't have a favorite "GEMCO" memories is, I bought my card and never shopped in the store. Yesterday I was going through some old paperwork and discovered my GEMCO card, dated 7-2-83. It's still in mint condition. Even though I don't have any fond memories of GEMCO, I can't help but to think of them as, possibly being one of the first Super stores. My reason for seeking information on GEMCO, was the "Life Membership" claim. I was curious to see if they'd been bought out. And, if they had, I'm wondering if the current establishment is accepting former GEMCO members. Thanks to Roy's page, I've been informed of the current situation. Lastly, even though I don't have any fond memories, as do others, I was elated to find my GEMCO in such good condition, almost 23 years later. That's got to be worth something. |
| Name: | Mike S |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I
lived in Lancaster Ca during the Gemco era and now live in Washington.
I was moving some stuff around my house and noticed a pair of clown
book-ends with the Gemco price tag still on it and was wondering what
ever happened to this store.Its good to see that there is a web site
that has to do with the Gemco stores.
I do not have any favorite memories only memories of the store, but I thought the book-end angle would be something worth mentioning. Mike S |
| Name: | Travis Drake |
| Email : | drtrdr99@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Doing it with a cashier up in the security gallery. Getting "dressed" up for Haloween ... ahhh ... damn ... thoise were the times !! |
| Comments: | Worked at the Gemco store on Capitol Expressway in San Jose up until the time they closed it. I loved working there and have fallen out of touch with many of my co workers who also worked there at that time .... If anyone knows of any or is in touch with them please forward my email adddress to them so we can get in touch ... who knows ... maybe we can have a little reunion of our own. |
| Name: | Karin Nall |
| Email : | kanall@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gosh, 1970 to closing. So many memories |
| Comments: | We were definately ahead of our time. Still miss the store, the job, and the family atmosphere. |
| Name: | Becky Sahagun |
| Email : | Rksahagun@att.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Worked in the Chino store (1985) on Walnut Ave. I worked in the Ladies Dept. After I was hired I found out that I was expecting my third baby! We all had great fun watching my belly grow! Sure had some great times with my department friends. Diane (?) can't remember her last name, was my supervisor. I also remember sweet Mary and Peggy (she had such full lips)! I think of my Gemco friends often and wonder how everyone is doing! Take Care Dear Friends!!! |
| Name: | Corinne |
| Email : | corinne307@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Hearing one of the new cashiers yell out to the supervisor "Bob, I just taxed this guy's nuts!" Remember how we had to sort the food items out and not tax them? And we actually calculated the tax ourselves and entered it in the register! I still dream of announcing "All ten variety please, all ten variety" being announced over the PA. |
| Comments: | My
Mom worked for Gemco 501 while I was just a young teenager (I had some
serious crushes on guys that my mom worked with! LOL). She worked the
Exit way before they had music there. The first Gemco had Ice Cream
cases at the exit. Later, I went on to work for Gemco too - same store - same great people! Some of the same serious crushes :o) |
| Name: | Richard |
| Email : | ferngullyfarms@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | If
anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated. I worked for Gemco
in Visalia, Ca. and had a retirement plan and was wondering if anyone
knows of a phone # that I can call to find out about it. Any info would
be greatly appreciated. I have tried the number listed on this site but
it is no longer in service. I also tried the bulletin board but it no
longer works either.
Thanks Rich |
| Name: | mary |
| Email : | mary2m69@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved GEMCO! |
| Comments: | Hey does anyone remember what the outside of Gemco actually looked like or have pictures of one? I keep quizzing neighbors and no one can seem to remember what it looked like and it's driving me crazy! I shopped and worked for a short time at the La Puente store... |
| Name: | Marcia Jeffredo Clarke |
| Email : | musingm@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many memories to pick just one, but I still have pieces of red "security" tape on some of my belongings I checked in at the back door. |
| Comments: | Started
in toys at 541 Fullerton 1976. Became a checker, then credit office
clerk, then audio sales. Went to 572 Huntington Beach and 508 Fountain
Valley. Audio Manager at 502 La Puente and then back to Fountain Valley
and Fullerton again before the very sad closing. We may have complained
at times and dreamed of getting out, but how much do you want to bet,
most of us would still be there if we could be?! What a great family we
had!
I don't know why, but I Googled Pete Harris tonight and found a biography: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=61950&p=irol-govBio&ID=100126 |
| Name: | Gary Dean |
| Email : | pt02cruz-dino@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Great friends & fun people to work with. can't forget the leeky roof. our weather gage was the amount of trash cans it took to catch the water. |
| Name: | Joe Footdale |
| Email : | JLFootdale@excite.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Anne Burn's skirts!! |
| Comments: | I worked at the Signal Hill store from 1973 to 1976. Anybody that was there then please drop a line and say hello. |
| Name: | Justin |
| Email : | uglymonkey@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Favorite memory of Gemco is walking there with Grandma |
| Comments: | I've told people for many years that Gemco was WAY before it's time. They all looked at me as if I was nuts. They look it me like I'm insane as they pull out their Sam's Club card or their Costco card. They shun my sentiment as they stand in line at the Super K-Marts and the newer Super Walmarts. The fact is that people back in the Gemco days were just too primative to conceptualize a place where folks could buy clothing and stereo equipment and put it in the SAME basket with their Wonder Bread and a six pack of Schlitz. Is if that's not enough, they put (in the same location in my hometown) the same type of store, only 20 year later. And now, everybody is like "WOW, we can buy food and bed sheets at the same place. Isn't this great?!!!" Retards. |
| Name: | Chris H |
| Email : | vwracer01@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Just
fond childhood memories of going to GEMCO with my family. It was a
great store and is missed. Store was at the corner of College Oak(i
think) & Madison Ave in Sacramento California.
|
| Name: | Sue Blount |
| Email : | sioux_zeque@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Can I see your membership card?
Excuse me, would you please use the exit doors? |
| Comments: | GEMCO 510 - San Leandro CA. I worked there for 13 years as a receptionist. I still remember all the department extensions. Closing day was very sad. Anybody out there who used to work at the San Leandro store? Love to hear from you. I live in the Nortwest now and there is a department store called Fred Meyers - it's the closest thing I've seen to Gemco. |
| Name: | Leslie Michihira |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Opening our brand-new 572 store in Huntington Beach! We had a great staff and it was a fun place to work! |
| Comments: | I learned about this website through my long- time boyfriend Tom Fogarty--still with him! |
| Name: | Kim Clark |
| Email : | kukiechew@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I worked for Gemco from 1977 to the day it closed I worked at store 921 the wharehouse for major appliance and audio.
The stores did close down because Eddleman was trying to take over Lucky's, the only way Lucky's could fight it was to close the Gemco stores and sell off the property. Did you know that he was married to Barbara Walters at the time and said he would have never closed down Gemco. |
| Name: | Laura |
| Email : | lauraelwings@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Honestly? I was wayyyy too little when my parents used to go shopping at Gemco (which is now Target, has been for a looong time now), but I have the faintest memory of entering through the open glass doors (I think they were automatic then, maybe this was 1984...), and there were shelves of stuff, and I think I saw tvs close by...anyway, my parents tell me they got me my stuffed Bugs Bunny there (which I still have, all raggedy but well loved), I must have been two or three, and, well, I wish Gemco were still around. :) |
| Comments: | I
think it is TOTALLY AWESOME that there's a site dedicated to Gemco on
the net. It's wonderful to be able to get in touch with a piece of
childhood again, no matter how small or faint it is. *smiles*
~ Laura. |
| Name: | Renee |
| Email : | HipyAtHrt@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite peeps at the San Gabriel Store...Linda Ryan, my Ladies Dept Head who gave me the best retail training ever. I compare all my shopping experiences to what she taught me about customer service! Playing April fool tricks on the dept heads, i.e. Joe Duran's Adrienne Barbeau poster, Bill Saucer's rubics cube, hijacking Linda's 280Z! My buds Aida & Gloria. Remember Sunny??? She was a Gemco icon! My favorite time of year was working night shifts during Xmas season! Leaving our Sporting Good fisherman maniquinn with his pants down just as the store opens and customers march in! My most painful moment...stapling my thumb to the bag...ouch! |
| Name: | Kerri Tate |
| Email : | geyser_gazer@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | How my dad, Walt Tate, #1 Grocery Manager, used to take us kids to the Huntington Beach Gemco on Christmas morning. We got to water the vegetables for him so they didn't spoil. |
| Comments: | I worked at the Fountain Valley Gemco (433) from 1979 until it closed. I sure miss the old gang. If anyone remembers me and would like to chat, e-mail me. |
| Name: | Mike |
| Email : | mrnoble65@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The dollar for the member card. |
| Comments: | Well I did not work at Gemco but my mom did at the store on Hacienda Blvd in La Puente Ca. don’t recall the store number.
Her name was Rosaleen Rowe. |
| Name: | Matt Jones |
| Email : | narcatheart@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | ALl the parties and the fun people who worked there. Remodels and opening new stores |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco for 9 years (1977-1986). I worked in Glendora, Chino, Downey and Chino again. I was the Hard Goods manager when I quit to become a police officer before the stores closed. I met my wife at Gemco. What a great place to work.I spent a few years running remodel crews in California and Arizona with Rick Battistoni and Tony Cruz.I would like to hear from any old friends. |
| Name: | Bill Brault |
| Email : | gallery96@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Inventory. Paying off my manager for the partner of my choice |
| Name: | Kalina Fernandez |
| Email : | ofarrill@earthlink.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too too many. Our favorite Sunday adventure with my dad and uncle. Looking at the Pachenco machines and wishing I could have one. -K |
| Name: | Greg Brittain |
| Email : | gab31@swbell.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to recall. Holiday season was always great with the activities in and outside the stores....parties.
|
| Comments: | I
worked for Lucky for over 11-yrs in Houston, Texas. Worked at several
Gemco stores and a mutlitude of Eagle DC's. I cannot remember all of
the store numbers but here are a few, 742, 745, 748, 749, 752, 753,
754, 755, 763, 768 & 769.
The best company I have ever worked for. |
| Name: | Lisa Smallen (Lemburg) |
| Email : | antiquelover@jps.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The crazy, wonderful, super-busy holiday season! |
| Comments: | I worked at GEMCO 507 (Broadway) in Sacramento while I was going to college. Having moved to Sacramento from rural Northern California, my employment at GEMCO was my ticket to making LOTS of great friends in Sacramento. I worked as a variety cashier and in the patio department. "HI" to Duane, Ralph, Wendy, Ed, Craig and countless others who's names escape my aging memory! It was a blast!!! |
| Name: | LARRY PEARRING |
| Email : | LCBPEAR@VERIZON.NET |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THE FAMILY FEELING AND ALL THE GREAT SOFTBALL GAMES AND PARTIES!!! |
| Comments: | STARTED
AT #528 AS CHRISTMAS HELP, LAID OFF AFTER CHRISTMAS FOR A WEEK AND
STARTED OFF AS A #29. DID THAT FOR FIVE MONTHS AND THEN A #10 AND THEN
#7. WAS THE FIRST HARDGOODS ASST. TO THE #3. MARRIED CATHY RICHARDS
(FROM #528, # 515, AND #805) IN 1983,STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME
WONDERFUL LADY.
IN 1985 WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER BETHANY. I ALONG WITH MY BROTHER OWN A GROCERY STORE IN SILVER LAKES, A RESORT COMMUNITY BETWEEN VICTORVILLE AND BARSTOW OFF OLD ROUTE 66. I MISS ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE I HAD MET ALONG THE WAY AND WISH ALL OF YOU HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. |
| Name: | will vanooyen |
| Email : | willvanooyen1234@earthlink.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great people I worked with, and learned from.
I started in Sacramento store #507, some of the people I remember Withey Adams, Roy Dague, Dick Stevens, Butch Yasui, and most of all Mr.Bob Pencil, and many great employees. I know Bob and Butch are not with us any more. |
| Comments: | It
was a black day in our lives when Gemco closed, we were a family, now
almost 20 years later we are still here with very many found memories.
It hit is very hard, and I'm sure there are many more like us that had spouses working for the company, but live has been good.We wish that it is the same for all the other Gemconites. Is there anyone who wants to have a reunion? Please let us know if there are any folks out there that are interested. Willl and Willy Vanooyen Citrus Hts Ca. |
| Name: | Mark Gutcher |
| Email : | marksmeat@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My grandpa loved it. It was like my second family working there. It's old school to me 25 years later alot has changed. |
| Name: | bruce knopf |
| Email : | bknopf@ci.alameda.ca.us |
| Comments: | i am trying to track the demise of GEMCO and conversion to Terget stores. anyone have a listing of the GEMCO stores that were purchased in 1987, and any info about conversion? |
| Name: | Mike Shaw |
| Email : | mshaw35@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working overnight on the stock crew of the Gemco at 10th and Broadway in Sacramento when I was a student at CSUS 1976-1978. The store was about a mile from home, so the commute in my VW Bug was 5 minutes or less. We were always busy, which was good, because staying awake all night was always a problem for me. |
| Comments: | Gemco's attentive customer service got lost when Target bought the stores. Try finding someone who cares at any big-box retail now: we shuffle in, anonymous spenders, for low-low prices, and hope for as little grief as possible. |
| Name: | Roy- the Webster |
| Website: | http://RoyHooper.com |
| Comments: | Hi Brett. Regarding the electronic toys and the snack bar:
I worked on the stock crew for 2 years, we would start at midnight and during Xmas we would spend our lunch hour playing with all the newest video games while the store was still closed and then when we finished our shift at 9 am I would eat a delicious breakfast sandwich from the snack bar. It sounds like you would have loved working for Gemco too. I worked at the Pomona store around 1983 as the audio manager. I commuted from Simi everyday. Sometimes for lunch I would go to the amusement park real close to Gemco. Bonnie was the store manager there and she was very good. Roy |
| Name: | Brett Shepherd |
| Email : | bshepherd@mail.intracorp.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | As
a child in the 1970's and a teen in the 1980's, Gemco was my favorite
place to be, especially during Christmas. That was the best place to be
because that's when they would put out all the new electronic toys and
they allowed you to play them all day long. The employees at Gemco were
the nicest people and unlike today, back then they cared for the
customer. And finally, who could ever forget the snack bar. I loved the
snack bar at the Claremont/Pomona location. The funny part about that,
for those that know this location was that I use to love the burgers
there....BUT IN-N-OUT was across the parking lot.
|
| Comments: | I miss Gemco to this day and it has been at least 20 years since one was open. Target has nothing on them and I wish that Gemco would re-open. Thanks to those who created this site, it brings back lots of good memories. |
| Name: | Juan Tabanera |
| Email : | JTabanera@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I rememner just all the great friendships I made during my time at Gemco...I started out pushing carts as a teenager and eventually worked in HardWare Automotive and Sporting Goods from 1980 - 1985 in North Hollywood Gemco Store at Victory Blvd. and Vineland ( Now a Target), I believe it was store #543. |
| Comments: | Anyone who used to work there during the 80's however long you were there,I would appreciate hearing from you. That was a special time, everybody was about the same age and we had great times both at work and outside of work. E-mail me at jtabanera@aol.com. Thank you and I look forward to the responses. |
| Name: | Jon Cote - Sacramento |
| Email : | dealinthedevil@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 507 (my favorite), 531, 809. Patio, Housewares, Automotive/Hardware, Member Service...... All the memories...... Thanks Roy! I remember ALL the people I worked with, Managers and employees. I really enjoyed working at GEMCO. And of course all the chix, I really miss that. I would enjoy hearing from you......... |
| Name: | Greg Waddell |
| Email : | greg@gregwaddell.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Food fights on the overnight stockteam. The endless parties! |
| Comments: | I started in 1966 on the grocery side of the Fountain Valley Store. In 1975 I moved to open the Modesto Gemco as sporting goods dept. head. Later became a #3 and #2 in both the Modesto and Stockton stores. Stayed until the end in 1986. In fact I waited in the empty Stockton store until people from Target came to pickup the keys. |
| Name: | Armando Alvarado |
| Email : | armandoa@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My father, Candelario Alvarado 'Cande Man', worked at the Ventura store and I remember he took my sister and I to work with him and I remember visiting the store various times. I remember that one time he took my sister and I to work, we were in the break room and I was scared of the chain gate that rolls down....I thought I was in jail. I also remember when the store was closing down in Ventura and how so many people were there when on its last days and all the good stuff they threw out. |
| Comments: | I remember my father running in to a couple of work mates after all the years. One named Dave or Alex and another named Debi, all who lived in Ventura. My father today lives in Ventura. |
| Name: | Chuck Garey |
| Email : | RGAREY@CHAPUSA.COM |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I don't think this is a favorite one but in Long Beach we came back off a holiday and the middle vault timer was set too long so we couldn't get in till the next day. Guess what? One of the old #4 can't remember his name took off with all the money! and went to Mexico. |
| Comments: | Anyone know what happened to:
Joe "Dino" Gurule? Long Beach Mike ? also Long Beach, my dirt bike riding buddies Gina from the credit dept in Long Beach? I wish i could rmember more peoples names but older age is starting to take it's toll. LOL |
| Name: | Chuck Garey |
| Email : | RGAREY@CHAPUSA.COM |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Pallet Jack racing on night crew
Stereo blasting while stocking in the morning Surfing on lunch hour from the Torrance store |
| Comments: | Any one know the where abouts of:
Larry McMahon? Torrance Steve Powers? Lost his # & email Debra Dearen? Long Beach Email Chuck Garey@ Rgarey@Chapusa.com Ex #3 Long Beach last stop on the Gemco Store Tour |
| Name: | Poetress Brawley aka Poetress Brawley Cooper |
| Email : | evntsrus@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working with some of the best people in the world. |
| Comments: | As the former manager of the leased area (STYLCO/KINNEY SHOES) I had a great time, selling shoes, and being embraced by my fellow employees. I often think of them and wonder how they are? My memory is fading and I wish I new the exact address of the Anaheim location--if anyone knows please post it for me. Also, if RUDY "our prince" look alike is still out there...email me... |
| Name: | Barry Pravorne |
| Email : | Bopravorne@adelphia.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The golf tournaments. Total fun. Especially Los Serranos in Chino. Getting golf lessons from the Spelmans! |
| Name: | mike maniord |
| Email : | modestomike777@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://www.yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | IHADNT THOUGHT OF GEMCO IN YEARS AND I RAN IN TO THIS WEB PADGE HOODA THOUGHT ANY WAY IVE THOUGHT OF MY TIME THERE FROM TIME TO TIME OVER THE YEARS THE THINGS I LEARND THERE I TOOK WITH ME THREW THE YEARS THANKS SANTA ANA 511 FOR THREE YEARS OF THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE |
| Comments: | IT REALY SUPRISED ME TO SEE MY NAME IN THE DREAM BOOK THANKS KEN FOR THINKING OF ME LOVE & RESPECT MICHAEL |
| Name: | michael jaye maniord |
| Email : | modestomike777@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://www.yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | thy was prity much all good memorys i couldent belive it when i found this website ive thought about my time at that store a bunch of times thanks for thinking of me i live in modesto and now drive a concret mixer LOVE YOU ALL... LOVE and respect. MICHAEL. AKA. MODESTOMIKE777@YAHOO.COM |
| Name: | BArbara DAvenport |
| Email : | utootalu@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I just wanted to post another entry for our gemco info...Lorraine Camou just passed away with breast cancer. Still looking forward to a visit with you all anytime....... Barb |
| Name: | Michael Maples |
| Email : | snoppydoggdogg-yowza@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Thousands of GEMCO memories! |
| Comments: | Stores 548, 530, 573, and 534 all rocked! Miss those days. |
| Name: | Glendora |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: |
More... |
| Comments: | Gemco was first established in Northern California. Its success there prompted Lucky Store officials to aggressively expand Gemco stores to Southern California in the 1970's. After the expansion, more stores were in its Buena Park operations zone than its San Leandro zone. Business and profitability continued to be healthy until a series of unsuccessful leveraged takeover attempts from other companies were made on its parent company, Lucky Stores. Lucky, to avoid such hostile takeover attempts, eventually decided it was best to liquidate Gemco entirely. This liquidation occurred in early 1987. Target Stores has since taken over and remodeled many of Gemco's former prime business locations. |
| Name: | Glendora |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Roy,
being the GEMCO fan that you are, you should know what happened...Lucky
Stores sold GEMCO to buy back Lucky stock to defend a hostile takeover.
Read below... |
| Comments: | In 1986 Lucky was the subject of a hostile takeover attempt by Asher Edelman. The board resisted this attempt by simplifying the company and returning it to its core business: groceries. Before this takeover attempt, Lucky owned auto-parts stores, women’s retail clothing stores, grocery stores, and fabric stores in several states (Lucky’s business included Hancock Fabrics, Piccadilly, Checker Auto Parts, Dorman’s Auto Parts, Kragen Auto Parts, Yellow Front Discount Department Store, Gemco Membership Department Stores, Kash & Karry Grocery, and Eagle Stores). Lucky’s ventures were trimmed back and it became solely a chain in certain western states. This re-organization was very successful and Lucky prospered as a grocery chain |
| Name: | Gemco Webster |
| Website: | http://www.royhooper.com/gemco.html |
| Comments: | I
was with Gemco from 78 till the end. Here is how I remember why Gemco
closed and if I am wrong please correct me if you KNOW FOR SURE the
reason. Many customers think Gemco went out of business which is
incorrect.
In the early 80s the owners of Gemco decided that they wanted to retire and did not trust Gemco in the hands of another owner. So they notified the employees that Gemco would close in 86 and that the buildings were for sale. Many customers thought that Target bought Gemco when in reality they only bought the vacated buildings and in accordance with Gemco offered positions to the former Gemco employees. Gemco took care of us all the way to the end and then some. Roy, the webster |
| Name: | Ginger (Vernoy & Barrett) Burgess |
| Email : | ToGingerBurgess@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the EXIT of Santa Ana #511 from the time it oppened in Aug of 1966 utill the fall of '77 when I transfered to the just opening Huntington Beach Store #572 where I also worked the EXIT. My favorite memory was the opening days of both stores. Wow! |
| Comments: | A couple of weeks ago I went to a semi-reunion that was hosted by Fred D'Ordine (I probably spelled that wrong). Most folks there were from the Fountain Valley Store. Grant Cuttingham, Doug McClure/Debbie, and Eileen who had been the Store Secretary at both Santa Ana and Fountain Valley. I wondered if there was a Website available. It's funny but I can't go anywhere in town (Hunt Bch) that folks don't mention how they miss GEMCO. Makes me wonder why it closed. If there is anyone out there from Santa Ana or Huntington Beach from 1966 to 1986 drop me a line. Blessings to all. |
| Name: | Barry Hozinsky |
| Email : | ibhozy@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working with so many good people at Gemco #533, Simi Valley. Especially Wayne Vaughn, Bruce Weinstein, Teri Fisher, Cliff Pond, Dennis Lorencz...........etc. |
| Comments: | Hi everybody. I worked for Gemco for 10 years. Gemco 514, Granada Hills and Gemco 533, Simi Valley |
| Name: | Fidel Borrego |
| Email : | ISAWELVIS@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | I worked the Granda Hills store as well as Woodland Hills and Pacoima (Late 60's to mid 70's)
Thanks for keeping up the site..... My experience with Gemco holds many fond memories... |
| Name: | Sarah |
| Comments: | Me again. Whenever we went there in the morning we would go to the cool snack bar and have a breakfast sandwich. hmmmm good! |
| Name: | Sarah |
| Comments: | I was too young to work there but my mom and me would always go to the girls clothing section. it was fun. |
| Name: | Vincent |
| Comments: | I was so happy when Gemco went out of business. They falsely accused me of shoplifting when I was 13 years old. Bunch of thugs! |
| Name: | Rick Cuevas |
| Email : | rcuevas235@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Lots
of them, including remodels, working all night painting the wood
shelves in the Patio Dept at La Puente. Radio full blast, Wallie
Reisbeck and I singing to the music...and getting a complaint from the
neighbors...Billy Preston at 4a.m. Just two cartboys having fun! Pushing 70 carts from one end of the parking lot to the grocery, now Target & Wal Marts are using automated cart pushers. I was in the best shape of my life from pushing carts. Finishing unloading 800 Christmas trees that were late in arriving JUST IN TIME for the next truck of 400 trees that was early. Remember the old hand crank pricing machines? Set the price and cost code and spin out the prices? Remember the pink pick up slips for the warehouse and patio? Learning to sell BBQ's, Lawn Mowers and plants from Chet Simmons and John Bingenheimer. Both guys used to give "how to" classes on planting and pruning. String tags. Was our private label garden: "Stadium Green" Vendors: Als Garden Art: Fountains, Deer, Gnomes. They are huge now, based in Colton. USCP WESCO: Seymour Ron Green United Silver: Barry Pravorne |
| Comments: | I
first posted on this site 7 years ago. It's good to see so many people
coming to this site. I've pushed it on Classmates, when their message
board was user friendly.
What's the best way to get the word out? |
| Name: | Jeff Wing |
| Email : | winghouston9@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyone I worked with! |
| Comments: | Going back in the past I stumbled across this site. I can associate with many of the comments of former employees that I read on the guestbook: started as cart boy, or customer service reps (fancy name for cart boy), and etc... Bottom line, it was a fun place to work no matter the classification of the job. Most guest book signings were from CA where Lucky was based, but would love to hear from former co-workers at the Beechnut/Fondren store in Houston. |
| Name: | Alan Hovivian |
| Email : | ahovivian@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Great
website. I worked for Gemco for 10 years in the Jewelry Department.
Started in Bellflower where I moved to the Long Beach store as a
department manager and from there went Torrance, North Hollywood and
then settled in Woodland Hills before the closings. I have now been in
the insurance industry for the last 19 years.
Does anyone know how to get a hold of Audrey Fukunaga, I have lost touch with her cousin Cindy who worked for me for quite a few years. Please email me with contact info at: ahovivian@earthlink.net |
| Name: | ken durham |
| Email : | ken_durham@xtoenergy.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Bunny and the short skirts at the Fullerton store. She worked in the dry cleaners. Wonder where she is. Nancy @ the short skirts @ Santa Ana. Bill McCoy @ Santa Ana. Lorretta & Nancy. Salvador, he ran the cardboard press. Howdy ran the sporting goods. |
| Comments: | I worked in the warehouse at the Santa Ana store @17th @Grand, 1969-1971.I was a cocky kid and it got me in a little trouble at times. Got myself into a few scraps. Lots of good memories. Stacked a ka-zillion boxes. Put lots of bikes together. A few people I worked with; Carl McLauglin, Bill McCoy, Carrol Brock, Judy Apgar, Nancy York. Lorretta Yegge, Roxanne Medina, Mike Maniord. I live in NW New Mexico and don't get to the big city very often. Kinda neat coming across this web. |
| Name: | ken durham |
| Email : | ken_durham@xtoenergy.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Bunny and the short skirts at the Fullerton store. She worked in the dry cleaners. Wonder where she is. Nancy @ the short skirts @ Santa Ana. Bill McCoy @ Santa Ana. Lorretta & Nancy. Salvador, he ran the cardboard press. Howdy ran the sporting goods. |
| Comments: | I worked in the warehouse at the Santa Ana store @17th @Grand, 1969-1971.I was a cocky kid and it got me in a little trouble at times. Got myself into a few scraps. Lots of good memories. Stacked a ka-zillion boxes. Put lots of bikes together. A few people I worked with; Carl McLauglin, Bill McCoy, Carrol Brock, Judy Apgar, Nancy York. Lorretta Yegge, Roxanne Medina, Mike Maniord. I live in NW New Mexico and don't get to the big city very often. Kinda neat coming across this web |
| Name: | ken durham |
| Email : | ken_durham@xtoenergy.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Bunny and the short skirts at the Fullerton store. She worked in the dry cleaners. Wonder where she is. Nancy @ the short skirts @ Santa Ana. Bill McCoy @ Santa Ana. Lorretta & Nancy. Salvador, he ran the cardboard press. Howdy ran the sporting goods. |
| Comments: | I worked in the warehouse at the Santa Ana store @17th @Grand, 1969-1971.I was a cocky kid and it got me in a little trouble at times. Got myself into a few scraps. Lots of good memories. Stacked a ka-zillion boxes. Put lots of bikes together. A few people I worked with; Carl McLauglin, Bill McCoy, Carrol Brock, Judy Apgar, Nancy York. Lorretta Yegge, Roxanne Medina, Mike Maniord. I live in NW New Mexico and don't get to the big city very often. Kinda neat coming across this web |
| Name: | Darlene Humphries |
| Email : | MONTECORESMOM@AOL.COM |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco Signal Hill was my first job. I worked there for 5 years and developed life long friendships. I was there from 1980-1985.
Anyone from Long Beach Gemco out there?? Let's have a reunion. Who do you keep in touch with? Darlene |
| Name: | Frank Barcellona |
| Email : | fbarcellona@cox.net |
| Website: | http://www.aromazona.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was my first job out of high school. I really enjoyed working there. Of all the places I worked since then, Gemco was the best. I really miss everyone I worked with. |
| Comments: | I worked at the store in Santa Maria, CA from 1984 until they closed. I would really like to hear from some of the employees that worked there. It has been a long time! |
| Name: | Bill Long |
| Email : | loyaltubist@musician.org |
| Website: | http://www.geocities.com/loyaltubist/ |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Flashing my card in many different ways... |
| Comments: | I still have my LIFETIME membership card. I didn't think my life was worth a dozen eggs. Even if the store was going out of business, I wasn't dying. So I kept my lifetime membership cards for both Gemco and Fedco. Too bad I didn't pick up a Memco membership card when I was in the Army stationed at a Naval Base in Virginia. Like a fool, I used my Gemco card to get in there. I didn't need a Memco card. But I would have one more anachronistic piece of ephemera in my wallet. |
| Name: | John Antle |
| Email : | antlej@dominos.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being closed on Mondays and our annual softball tournament between all of the Gemco stores |
| Comments: | I worked for Gemco from 1976 - 1986 in the Bay Area |
| Name: | Bruce Kelly |
| Email : | bwbatman119@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So many to pick just one and some that need not talked about... but some would be setting up for Christmas and the silliness after working 16 hours to get done before the store opened, working nightcrew during Christmas, playing in the Gemco softball league, the parties and of course all the people I worked with. |
| Comments: | I worked at the Glendora Store from 1972 to 1977 and the San Gabriel Store from 77-79. I started as a Cartboy, remember the "29C" calls and ended as a Department Head in the Health & Beauty Aids Department. Like all of you I didn't appreciate those years, people and fun at the time but I think of it often now. Would love to get together with the folks from the Glendora Store. Feel free to drop me an e-mail. |
| Name: | Ken Welker |
| Email : | kwelker333@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Putting together the Christmas Tree lot and finding a gray squirrel in one of the tree bales shipped from Washington! Having Gary Ojendyk compliment me and my department. Having coffee with Bob Dinardi (#1) and Pete Chilstrom (#2)in the Snack Bar before the store opened in the morning. |
| Comments: | I
was the #3 at Tucson 570, and it was the best retail job I ever had!
Those were the days...before UPC's, before POG's. We were awesome
merchants and had a lot of fun!
Write me if you remember... |
| Name: | Terri Fisher |
| Email : | Doria57@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 10 years at Gemco worked while I went to college,I worked at Simi Valley, Woodland Hills and Pacoima. |
| Comments: | I have fond memories of Gemco.
Do you remember Barry Hozinsky? Robin Miller? Reese Pond?Lori and Cliff Pond, Chris Pirano? Mike Mulvey? WE were like a family I remember when we first opened If we worked in Cosmetic Dept. we had to were false Eye Lashes. Can you believe I still have my badge. I left Gemco before they shut down.In 1982 |
| Name: | Chuck Garey |
| Comments: | Anyone know of or how to contact Debbie Dearan from Long Beach? |
| Name: | Chuck Garey |
| Email : | RGAREY@TXI.COM |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I don't know if this is my favorite but I remkember it the most. I worked in Long Beach(Signal Hill) store, we were supposed to be robbed on Christmas Eve 1982? if I remember. Lot's of undercover Police and FBI. I quit soon after that! |
| Comments: | Would Like to hear from others, I worked Santa Ana, Huntington Beach Long Beach, Carson. And several Remodels at other locations |
| Name: | Gene St. Hilaire |
| Email : | genenkona@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to mention; some of the best can't be mentioned on a public web site. |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco from 1972 until closing; started in Cerritos and continued my career in Bellflower, Downey, Huntington Beach, both Riverside locations, Pomona, La Puente and finally closed down #526 as Store Mgr. Through the years I met many wonderful people, some have had a very positive impact on my life. At Gemco we learned to be merchants. Found a new home @ Costco in 1989 and continue to work with some of the best, many who are mentioned on this website. Always love hearing from old friends. |
| Name: | Gene St. Hilaire |
| Email : | genenkona@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to mention; some of the best can't be mentioned on a public web site. |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco from 1972 until closing; started in Cerritos and continued my career in Bellflower, Downey, Huntington Beach, both Riverside locations, Pomona, La Puente and finally closed down #526 as Store Mgr. Through the years I met many wonderful people, some have had a very positive impact on my life. At Gemco we learned to be merchants. Found a new home @ Costco in 1989 and continue to work with some of the best, many who are mentioned on this website. Always love hearing from old friends. |
| Name: | RoseMary Arreola |
| Email : | emailrosemary@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Not a favorite memory, but the worst part of the job was coming in at midnight Christmas evening to work on Mark Downs. The other was inventory! |
| Comments: | Gemco Store #502-La Puente.
I worked in the children's Deparment from 1975 to 1980 and loved the people who worked in this store. I was 16 years old and Gemco was my first REAL job. The people who worked there made the job so much fun. It was everyone throughout the whole store who were so nice and funny. I have very fond memories of Gemco. When I tripped over this website, all these memories came flooding back and peoples names I hadn't thought of for years and those I had thought of now and then and wonder what they are up to now. The only people I still hear from Gemco are Josie Archuleta (My sister's mother-in-law)and Tim Bokath, a long time friend since elementary school. I have heard about some and thought I had glimpses of others, but too afraid to walk up and say anything. I would love to hear from anyone from Gemco #502. |
| Name: | RoseMary Arreola |
| Email : | emailrosemary@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Not a favorite memory, but the worst part of the job was coming in at midnight Christmas evening to work on Mark Downs. The other was inventory! |
| Comments: | Gemco Store #502-La Puente.
I worked in the children's Deparment from 1975 to 1980 and loved the people who worked in this store. I was 16 years old and Gemco was my first REAL job. The people who worked there made the job so much fun. It was everyone throughout the whole store who were so nice and funny. I have very fond memories of Gemco. When I tripped over this website, all these memories came flooding back and peoples names I hadn't thought of for years and those I had thought of now and then and wonder what they are up to now. The only people I still hear from Gemco are Josie Archuleta (My sister's mother-in-law)and Tim Bokath, a long time friend since elementary school. I have heard about some and thought I had glimpses of others, but too afraid to walk up and say anything. |
| Name: | Roger Martinez |
| Email : | atlasorthogonal@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My dad working the Indio 539 Store I tagged along to hand out inthe audio video section trippin out on the reel to reel hi fi systems cranking pink floyd dark side of the moon, the wall and the who. That was totally the coolest place to hang out during the summer months in Indio. |
| Comments: | My father Rogelio Martinez is retired after 30 years plus in the retail clerk business. He is now taking care of 8 grandchildren and enjoying his golden years. |
| Name: | HECTOR GONZALEZ |
| Email : | hgonzalez1@dc.rr.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | love to shop at GEMCO in the food/toys/sport area alot.love my GEMCO store here in INDIO CA. i dont know the store number but i sure remember my good all time in my store GEMCO. i got into alot of trouble because i use to open stuff and eat stuff if you know what i mean. my mom and dad were members for a long time. and then when i became of age i my self became a member to.. wow and i still my my member ship card some where im a box... i was just surfing the web and thought of gemco.. and this page came up..lol. |
| Name: | Edna Bone |
| Email : | charlesbone1@netzero.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Favorite memories! Are you kidding? They are all favorites. We were a tight-knit family. |
| Comments: | I worked at Walnut Creek from '68 to '73
Transferred to store 531, Sacramento '73 'till the funeral service. |
| Name: | Adam Edwards |
| Email : | amedward@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Buying star wars toys at Memco in Winston-Salem N.C. |
| Comments: | Does anyone have any photos from gemco or memco inside the store? I am looking for pictures of the toy section specifically. |
| Name: | Howard Schlossberg |
| Email : | info@gemco803.com |
| Website: | http://www.gemco803.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | There were many great memories. Gemco #803 was the Northridge, CA store, which opened in October, 1980. We had a very close-knit group of people there, with many great parties, and many people still in touch. |
| Comments: | This
October, Gemco Northridge will hold a 25 Anniversary reunion. An
organizing committee has just formed (myself, Brian Springer, Brenda
Arnold, Tim Eringer and Tara Reeves), word is just starting to go out,
and the website has just been set up (and will be in continual
development -- pictures, check stubs, badges and other memorabilia
coming soon). If you are interested in reunion information or you know
where we can find anyone who worked at our store, please visit the
website: <http://www.gemco803.com>.
Thanks... |
| Name: | ElizaBeth |
| Email : | litir_smyth@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I got my first Maxie Dress at Gemco. The radio ad song. |
| Comments: | My family shopped at the Downey store When we lived in South Gate, ( the South Gate to Los Angeles ) Then the Anahiem and Santa Ana stores when we moved to Orange County. My Dad used to say if they did'nt have it at Gemco you might not need it. |
| Name: | Mark |
| Email : | Mark88un@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked the night shift as a box cutter when i was 19, (1985). It was the greatest store ever. Nothing like the stores they have now...You could get everything under the sun there..jam-packed isles,.good prices, but nice items. My mom luved to grocery shop there, and I actually bought a miami vice style suit there, with a skinny tie to match! Pretty out dated now,I still have it in in closet to save as memory..It was literally our neighborhood store. Even today, my place views the now target sign from my livingroom window. wish it still read "Gemco"... |
| Comments: | When I was a little kid, the whole family would shop at "Discos" (later renamed "Two-Guys", and "Fedmart" or "Fedco". They were super stores...all similar to gemco. None of the stores now seem as fun or happy to visit as those were. |
| Name: | Kevin N. |
| Email : | Kevin322p@aol.com |
| Comments: | Roy,
Thanks for the website.. It brought back alot of good memories. I
worked At Gemco #806-Yuba City and #531-Sacramento-Fulton Avenue.
(Northern California)They both ended up becoming Target Stores. Thank you again Roy for the wonderful website and keeping the spirit of Gemco alive.... |
| Name: | Ray Stiles |
| Email : | davisfour@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I WORKED AT THE DOWNEY STORE. |
| Name: | Marv Baskin |
| Email : | marv@GoldMountainMining.com |
| Website: | http://www.GoldMountainMining.com |
| Comments: | Posted by his son, Greg: After managing various jewelry department regions in California, Marv had a chain of fashion stores in the Bay Area (Accessories Unlimited) in the 70s. He worked a stint for Smitty's in Arizona and later was the jewelry trainer for Costco. He now owns and operates a Old West "destination" shop (gifts & jewelry) in Arizona. |
| Name: | Linda Lyons (Wade) |
| Email : | wadetcb141@aol.com |
| Comments: | I worked at the Long Beach store from 1971 to 1974 in Variety and then Cosmetics before leaving....still keep in touch with Barb Davenport and would love to here from any one else I worked with back in the stone age hehe |
| Name: | barbara davenport |
| Email : | utootalu@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My
favorite memories are the people. We had the greatest employees in the
world and NO CUSTOMER has ever forgotten our name!!!I just visited with
Frank Steckel today and we had a ball looking at all my old pictures.
they go way back to 1970. Bob Boyd, Mike Sullivan, Linda Young Joe
Footdale, Cary Koldus Gardner ,Rudy Stengel Paul Guerra, dave doomey,Arlene Gibb,Marion Wells,rick and peggy Batistoni,linda and rich lamont,june morgan,clay harding?,don heller.carl alexander,marty and sheila boyd,phyllis(warehouse) keith(warehouse)pat dawson,kelly clauson,charlie and kathy norbryhn,fred davis,sunny,deedee haste,stella batistoni,norm (patio),gina fiamengo priscilla and chuck zook,domingo,fred baskin,peggy,rachel,mikey(cartboy)naomi,terri(security)linda(security)rudy stengel,derek pope, lloyd curtis,bob in jewlery ,rolf gerring,joe winters so many names to remember. so many gone now. gigi, ed rudzinsky, irene durphy,roger goldblatt and mae, margaret waterman ,dick boss, bob procopio.john baxley,scott close so many more i probably dont know about. the names just flow through my mind and i would love to have a reunion so we could all get together one more time. Lets do it!!!!!!! anybody game??? anybody know how to get in touch with the old gemco gang??? Let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My little gemco clear bag is just hanging in the closet ready to go. Please drop me a line anytime...Barbara DAvenport |
| Name: | Lori McKinzie Snyder |
| Email : | Loricolette@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THINK GEMCO
12345 67890 |
| Comments: | Looking for co-workers I worked with as a cashier in the "variety" section. Remember those old cash registers. Man, they were ancient. With the little colored squares that you would total to come up with the tax. And you had to ring up each individual item one at a time. LOL. I worked at the Gemco store in Houston, Tx on the corner of Airline Dr. and I-45. |
| Name: | Lori McKinzie Snyder |
| Email : | Loricolette@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THINK GEMCO
12345 67890 |
| Name: | Barbara Davenport |
| Email : | utootalu@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I am sooooo excited to find this web-site. My old friends Priscilla Zook and her hubby turned me on to it.I have millions of memories and stories to tell but not enough time tonight. I am working at u f c w local 324 in Buena Park and have been there 18 years since my home store closed. I was at 527 for 18 years. Have lots of info about past friends and co-workers. just not enough time tonight...Bob Procopio deceased Margaret Waterman deceased Irene Durphy deceased Ed rudzinskey deceased all my good friends.....I still live in the same house and am still wwworking as i need to keep our medical benefits going...my hubby batteling cancer now for 5 years... Cant wait to see who i hear from WRITE SOON!!!!!!!!! ROY HOOPER THANK YOU FOR THIS WEB SITE....BARBARA DAVENPORT |
| Name: | Barbara Davenport |
| Email : | utootalu@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I am sooooo excited to find this web-site. My old friends Priscilla Zook and her hubby turned me on to it.I have millions of memories and stories to tell but not enough time tonight. I am working at u f c w local 324 in Buena Park and have been there 18 years since my home store closed. I was at 527 for 18 years. Have lots of info about past friends and co-workers. just not enough time tonight...Bob Procopio deceased Margaret Waterman deceased Irene Durphy deceased Ed rudzinskey deceased all my good friends.....I still live in the same house and am still wwworking as i need to keep our medical benefits going...my hubby batteling cancer now for 5 years... Cant wait to see who i hear from WRITE SOON!!!!!!!!! ROY HOOPER THANK YOU FOR THIS WEB SITE....BARBARA DAVENPORT |
| Name: | Edward Ey |
| Email : | edwardey@earthlink.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco did in 1961 what WalMart is trying to do today. Groceries and general merchandise under one roof. |
| Name: | Karen Hoover |
| Email : | TL0404@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Favorite Gemco memory in the 502 store was hanging out in the back warehouse with Sandy Blackburn & Ida Sonlitner
laughing, goofing off and making memories that have lasted a lifetime. |
| Name: | Karen Hoover |
| Email : | TL0404@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Favorite Gemco memory in the 502 store was hanging out in the back warehouse with Sandy Blackburn & Ida Sonlitner
laughing, goofing off and making memories that have lasted a lifetime. |
| Name: | Ralph Garcia |
| Email : | targetman1@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Remembering my first mgrs.. Grant Cottingham, Tom Berube,Larry Perason, credit office.. Ron Cavillo sec.. Marilyn Bawer.. |
| Comments: | Hello to all .. and those in Granada and Woodland Hills, Lancaster, San Gabriel, Pomona, and Glendora.. when's the next reunion????? |
| Name: | Ralph Garcia |
| Email : | targetman1@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Many great times.. My first Mgrs. Grant Cottingham, Tom Berube, Larry Pearson, credit office.. Ron Cavillo.. Sec.. Marilyn Bawer.. |
| Comments: | Hello to everyone.. and those in Woodland and Granada Hills, Lancaster, San Gabriel, Pomona, and Glendora. When's the reunion ??? |
| Name: | Ralph Garcia |
| Email : | targetman1@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | What a great time.... Where's everyone ???? my first managers... Grant Cottingham.. Tom Barubie.. Larry Pearson and in the credit office was .. Ron Cavillo.. |
| Comments: | Too many people to remember.. Hello to all ..and those in Granada and Woodland Hills.. Lancaster.. San Gabriel.. Pomona.. and Glendora.... |
| Name: | James Peyton |
| Email : | orion1052000@hotmail.com |
| Website: | http://none yet |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I use to live by the Sacramento Broadway store, that used to be Edmonds Baseball field when my Dad was a kid. It is across the street from the cemetary and is now Target. I remember being by a brown movable partition wall with loads of computer games on it, maybe in low clear pockets holding them up, and staring at one of them called "Shamus". On the box cover was a robot with detective coat and hat and electric knives. A few years a go, the same game I never bought back then was put on the net for free. I actually play it. I found out the programmer was a man back then, but has sex-changed into a woman now. Wow. I remember being pissed when Target took over, though I was still little. |
| Comments: | I was wondering if there are any pictures of the Sacramento store, around 13th and Broadway or Riverside and Broadway. I have pictures of the HULK painting on the water tower further down Riverside when it was still painted way back in 1977. |
| Name: | Don Turman |
| Email : | turman41@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The Pay Check every week |
| Comments: | Has anyone heard if there is any local reunions scheduled in So. Cal. anytime soon!
Still looking for some old friends from Torrance Whse. Crew and others. |
| Name: | JOHNNIE D HUFMAN (HINTON) |
| Email : | RAPRMON017@AOL.COM |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | ALL THE STORE PARTIES WE USE TO HAVE AT THE BELLFLOWER STORE. HOUSE PARTIES AND EVEN COMBO PARTIES THAT WE RENTED ROOMS FOR WITH THE GARDINA STORE. I HAD A COUPLE OF THOSE HOUSE PARTIES AT MY HOUSE IN LA PALMA. I OPEMED THE BELLFLOWER STORE AND WORKED THERE IN THE MEAT DEPT. FOR 7 YEARS. AND THEY WERE SOME FOR THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE. |
| Comments: | MY HUSBAND AT THE TIME WAS GEORGE HINTON. HE WAS A HIGHWAY PATROLMAN. HE HAS NOW PASSED AWAY. I REMARRIED AND AM NOW DIVORCED. THE MARRAGE DID GRACE ME WITH TWO SONS. JOE MY STEP-SON IS 29 AND AN IRON WORKER. NICK IS ALMOST 21 AND WORKS AT DISNEYLAND. I AM RETIRED FROM THE MEAT INDUSTRY AND AM WORKING FOR A FOOD BROKERAGE COMPANY. |
| Name: | Suns76 |
| Email : | silverfox@NoSpamidcomm.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | visting the local Gemco, in Clairmont Mesa, and the La Mesa Store. |
| Comments: | I
miss the Gemco of San Diego, CA. I still remember the shock in Late
August 86 on local Station KFMB Channel 8 San Diego and Kusi, that
Gemco was closing, i still remeber in the News cast them showing empty
Grocery Shelves with Plush Toy Disney's Gummi Bears. I was only in HS
when Gemco closed but had visited the stores with my fokes in the 70's
and very early 80's before my dad was transfered to KingsVille, TX, by
the US Navy. Gemco, Fed-Mart, Best, Wilsons, Service Merchandice,
Wards, krestkeys(sP), kmart of old ( the older 70's look many K marts
had thru the very early 90's when they droped Blue lite specials),
Thrifty supermarkets, Two Guys, SavOns, cal Store, Gibsons, Alco,
Tempest, Shopping Bag. all stores that i member in my past that are for
the most today gone, or merged into others, or desapaed. Wal Mart i think will soon join theses as there starting to show large cracks in there ways fo doing things since wallton died. I now reside in Pueblo, CO, and i was told there was a Gemco here, but unable to conferm, is this true and were was it located?? Some told me it was on the North Side close the the now almost closed Pueblo Mall. from what i been reading Wal Mart may end up as waht happen to Gemco, sold or closed, cause of major managment problems. Stay tune, lets hope Wal mart will go down a notch and we get to see a return to Gemco. |
| Name: | Joe Porrazzo |
| Email : | trepang@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Worked with a guy named Rodney Kwock in the SPARKS,NV major appliance dept. What an "operator" and "ladies man". It was was a pleasure to watch a real professional at work. |
| Comments: | I
worked at both RENO and SPARKS, NV stores. RENO was great! Marge was
the dept manager. John Booth was the store manager. Was transferred to
SPARKS major appliances. Gus Titus, a demoted Memco manager was major
appliance manager. My opinion of Gus has not changed since I quit in
1986 (four months prior to the BIG SCREW by Lucky Corp)
Gus was a petty tyrant, words cannot explain the steps this creep would pull. He schemed to fire Don George because Don had diabetes and Gus hated "sick people". Gus was a racist always "joking" about a black grocery clerk Quote "Boy, he sure beams when a watermelon goes through his line". Gus once told a snack bar employee who was pregnant, in my presence "You ought to have an abortion, rather than bring a half breed into the world" She was white, her boyfriend black. Gus hated "College boys". Because I had returned to UNR to finish my BA, gus would frequently try to change my schedule around. This idiot begged me not to quit when I had a job offer from another employer. I stayed, against my better judgement, and once he was sure I was staying, the crap started up again. His "chosen ones" smoked pot in their cars on brakes. He didn't care. I am ashamed to say that after almost 20 years, if I ran across this man again I would be more than willing to take a "weekend in jail" just to punch his light out. I read so many of you who had excellent experiences at Gemco and have wondered why mine was so bad. I guess retail is not for everyone, but the experience was valuable. I have taught high school and college levels now for 18 years. I've been an asst principal in an inner city high school. I've never been treated anywhere as bad as I was at the Sparks, NV Gemco. I almost forgot, one ray of sunshine was Lloyd Custis. Lloyd was the operations manager in Sparks. I do hope Lloyd is still around, along with the cute blond grocery checker, Kimberly. The sparkle in her eyes would help turn around a bad day!!! |
| Name: | gary stel |
| Email : | garyastel@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Lots of memories including partying, softball games and some of the wonderful people I met along the way. |
| Comments: | Most people from the Glendora store know that Martha Reynoso and I married in 1985 and had 2 beautiful daughters. Martha passed away from breast cancer in 1997 and I have since remarried.God bless all of you. |
| Name: | Dan K |
| Email : | event4you@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The whole thing, loved that job! Great friends, cute girls hired as temps during christmas. Miss it a lot |
| Comments: | Anyone out there that knows how to find info on Gemco (Lucky's) penssion plan. I had money in there, and was to receive benefits when I retire. Not sure if the funds still exsist, but I worked almost 10 years...Please e-mail me if you can help or just want to chat. I worked at Sacramento, CA stores on Madison and Mack Roads...thanks...Dan |
| Name: | Larry Little |
| Email : | larlitt@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The "GEMCO BAND" !!!!!!!! |
| Comments: | Thanks for the great memories! |