Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2009-2010 August
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and to post.
Back to Gemco
Department
Stores
Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2009-2010 August
Back to Guestbook
and to post.
Back to Gemco
Department
Stores
| Name: | Jim Redman |
| Email : | xredxdog1x@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 12 years at GEMCO 509 redwood City |
| Comments: | some of the best time of my life |
| Name: | LLThornton |
| Email : | llthornton_nla@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My job career was brief at Gemco in Gardena. I was a part time minimum wage student in the 1980's who couldn't afford to pay the union dues and forced to quit when I couldn't pay up. However my shopping career began as kid with my parents. My first TV, my LPs (records), jewelry. My dear friends Lucy Chavez, Ginny Chavez, Bill Vasquez and names I can't remember. |
| Name: | Marquis Huntsman |
| Email : | mwnumbers@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas in the toy section; pushing carts; facing; graveyard shift. |
| Comments: | I worked at the North Fullerton store from 1985-6. Send me an email if you worked there. |
| Name: | Clark Novak |
| Email : | showbizkid@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Food Basket #225 in the Gemco store in Oceanside, CA. from 1980 - 1984. Good days! I married Terry McElliott from Pharmacy in 1986. That's my favorite memory :) |
| Comments: | Thanks for putting up this site! |
| Name: | Scott Wilkins |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at store 573, El Cajon. I was hired a week after it
opened, and worked there for 7 years, in several dept's. There are a lot of great memories, but watching the customers gather outside the doors before opening, and rush up the main aisle to get to the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls! And, we all couldn't wait to hear "Attention members and guests..." at the end of the 12:30 to 9:30 shift. Fun Parties! And a lot of dating prospects! 'Hey, check out the new girl in groceries!' |
| Comments: | I was young (16) when I hired and I learned a lot that I
still use today. I remember my boss 'Joe' giving me a hard time about
walking from the Domestics Dep't to check on some towels or something
for a customer, and returning empty handed. Ooops! I never did that
again, and it made me more productive at every endeavor in my life!. I loved the warehouse sales! Remember the product knowledge meetings in Aneheim? The company actually wanted us to know what we were talking about and selling! It was a good first job, there were a lot of characters on the staff, you know who you are! |
| Name: | Dennis Philpot |
| Email : | djphilpott@aol.com |
| Comments: | Thanks Roy. My reference to 1974 was from college, not high
school. I was 16 when I started working for Gemco as a "courtesy clerk"
aka cart boy aka 29c. This is the same Gil. He did flirt with the ladies and I understand he did move down to southern california before leaving the company. This site brings back lots of good memories. |
| Name: | Roy Hooper |
| Website: | http://www.royhooper.com/gemco.html |
| Comments: | Dennis, I enjoyed reading your memory and if you graduated in 74 that means you were only 12 when you started Gemco, is that correct? And I worked for a Gil Alvarado around 1981 to 1982 at the 533 Simi. I noticed he picked on the guys and flirted with the girls. I wonder if it's the same Gil. |
| Name: | Dennis Philpott |
| Email : | djphilpott@aol.com |
| Website: | http://www.gavrilisphotography.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great people I met and learned from over the years.
My first day was election day 1968. $1.775 per hour, cart boy (29C?) I
was a junior in high school. My favorite memory is detailed below...has
to do with the day I was told I was being fired, and then was rehired,
the same day. At Gemco, there were many employees and managers who would always stand behind you if they felt you deserved it....regardless of other politics or personalities. |
| Comments: | i worked for Gemco on and off between 1968 and 1975.
Part-time in high school, more hours in the summer. Started at 503 in
Cupertino (Art Branham was #1, Ken Awes #2 and Terry (don't remember
his last name) was #3. Dick Rebozzi was in charge of drugs/cosmetics
and later replaced Terry as #3. I used my earnings from Gemco for my
first trip to Europe in the summer of 1969 and came back that fall in
hardware, working for Jerry Bennett. At the end of my probationary
period in Hardware, the #3 dropped me from the schedule and I had one
day left on the payroll, without discussing with my manager, Jerry.
When I told Jerry, he immediately went up and told the #3 that he had
"just fired my best worker." #3 called me up to the office, told me he
wouldn't blame me if I told him to shove it up his xxx, but he was
offering me my job back and apologized for the misunderstanding. I
learned a lot from that experience and still remember it 40 years
later. Thank you Jerry. Chuck Bell was managing drugs/cosmetics then, and Steve Steen started there. After graduation in 1974 I went to work for John Ellis at 538, followed by John Gavrilis at the same store, until I left in August 1975. John Gavrilis remains one of my best friends. He is an incredibly talented photographer living in Aptos (check out his website, http://www.gavrilisphotography.com) John Ellis was a great manager for me as well though we have not been in touch for many years. Roger Campbell was #1 at 538 when it opened, Gil Alvarado (who used to enjoy hassling me) was #2 and Rich Weeks #3. I had first met Rich at the Cupertino store. I occasionally see Chuck Bell at Costco in Concord. Gemco provided me with money for college, a lot of good times and a lot of learning. I felt it was a very well-run organization at that time. |
| Name: | Rafael Fernando |
| Email : | ELHombreLatino@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Store Decorations And Christmas Time At Gemco Manager: Frank Falconi #1 Gardena Gemco Store 522 Sporting Goods Manager: Richard Christianson Gardena #522 Throwing Tennis balls Thru Variety: Cool and Laid Back But Always Got the Job Done. Linda The Blonde Twit With a Small Natural Hairdo. Was a 10 Clerk In variety. Always in every ones Business ! |
| Comments: | Good Memories Except For Talbert Johnson #2 Gardena Gemco 522
Tyrant and never Smiled. My Gemco experience Got Me a Career with Pacific Telephone Now AT&T. Started Off in Customer Service (Non Entry Level) Transferred To Field Tech Well paying job. Full 30 Year Pension. I Figured the Telephone Company would Not Close Down As Gemco/Lucky did ! |
| Name: | Rafel Fernando |
| Email : | ELHombreLatino@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Store Decorations And Christmas Time At Gemco Manager: Frank Falconi #1 Gardena Gemco Store 522 Sporting Goods Manager: Richard Christianson Gardena #522 Throwing Tennis balls Thru Variety: Cool and Laid Back But Always Got the Job Done. Linda The Blonde Twit With a Small Natural Hairdo. Was a 10 Clerk In variety. Always in every ones Business ! |
| Comments: | Good Memories Except For Talbert Johnson #2 Gardena Gemco 522
Tyrant and never Smiled. My Gemco experience Got Me a Career with Pacific Telephone Now AT&T. Started Off in Customer Service (Non Entry Level) Transferred To Field Tech Well paying job. Full 30 Year Pension. I Figured the Telephone Company would Not Close Down As Gemco/Lucky did ! |
| Name: | Clare S. |
| Email : | drwellness@prodigy.net |
| Website: | http://lifespandevelopmentcenter.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I made a lot of good friends working at Gemco (Store #503 in Cupertino, CA). The people were great--the credit office was the best. I'd love to see some of the gals I worked with Jan, Skippy, Carol, Rose, Sharon, Diana, Jody, and Joanna. |
| Comments: | I think of the people I worked with with fond memories. One of my best friends, Gerald will always be remembered. It would be great to have a Gemco all store reunion and see all my old friends. |
| Name: | Chris Lang |
| Email : | cdl21@zoominternet.net |
| Comments: | Gemco was my 1st real job.I started as a cart boy at store
#508 Fountain Vally Ca. I moved up to clerk before leaving for a full
time job.30 years later I now work in the Pittsburgh Pa area for a
chain called Giant Eagle co. And they go by Giant Eagle Market Co. Or
in the letter head,GEMCO! I find that funny. Chris Lang |
| Name: | Nerisa (Willis) Kemp |
| Email : | nerisakemp@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Meeting my 2 best friends, Pat Fikes-Hazard and Veronia (Ronnie) Shaw. So many others, like Toni Trombetti, Ester & John Camacho, Beverly, Rosemary Rios, Claude, Ruby Pierce, Bonnie, Jackie,in Kids wear, Rick, Tom, June and Cory in the warehouse, Maimie in grocery, Mary Abear, Ann, Carmen (graveyard),John, Gordon, Rich Weeks I could go on and on, I miss them all, we were like family. |
| Comments: | I worked at store #538 East San Jose from 1974-1985. I started as a stocker a month before #538 opened then part-time in the Domestics department as a sales clerk. It took me a year or so to get full time with benefits (great benefits, been missin' them ever since)6 years to make dept head of Domestics and I had to fight to get it. Any body remember Russ Davis? Boy did he make me wish for college educated District managers, I hope he got what was coming to him! along with Chuck Bell one of the worst #1's ever! Thank goodness the assholes were limited to #538 management. On a up note, that was the best company I ever worked for and I have lots of fond memories that I hope to keep. So if any one from #538, #509, #503, #512, #504 remembers me or anyone I listed give me a holla, I'd love to chat with you. |
| Name: | Nerisa (Willis) Kemp |
| Email : | nerisakemp@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Meeting my 2 best friends, Pat Fikes-Hazard and Veronia (Ronnie) Shaw. So many others, like Toni Trombetti, Ester & John Camacho, Beverly, Rosemary Rios, Claude, Ruby Pierce, Bonnie, Jackie,in Kids wear, Rick, Tom, June and Cory in the warehouse, Maimie in grocery, Mary Abear, Ann, Carmen (graveyard),John, Gordon, Rich Weeks I could go on and on, I miss them all, we were like family. |
| Comments: | I worked at store #538 East San Jose from 1974-1985. I started as a stocker a month before #538 opened then part-time in the Domestics department as a sales clerk. It took me a year or so to get full time with benefits (great benefits, been missin' them ever since)6 years to make dept head of Domestics and I had to fight to get it. Any body remember Russ Davis? Boy did he make me wish for college educated District managers, I hope he got what was coming to him! along with Chuck Bell one of the worst #1's ever! Thank goodness the assholes were limited to #538 management. On a up note, that was the best company I ever worked for and I have lots of fond memories that I hope to keep. So if any one from #538, #509, #503, #512, #504 remembers me or anyone I listed give me a holla, I'd love to chat with you. |
| Name: | Roy, Gemco Webmaster |
| Website: | http://www.royhooper.com/gemco.html |
| Comments: | Hi Sandra, As audio manager I dealt firsthand with a lot of reps and their companies and I sure do miss and wonder where those reps are now. You might be the first rep to sign the Gemco book and I'm glad you did. Your job was very important because the snack bar workers are the ones the kept us fed! |
| Name: | sandra jackowski |
| Email : | smjack1953@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | i worked at various gemco stores in calif. but not for gemco, i managed the food service area/ cafe. i made alot of friends at the all the stores and every one treated me with respect. the management ,at all the stores, was excellent as well as the employees. it was truely a wonderful experience in my work life. i wish every one well in their life. |
| Name: | Jackie Williams |
| Comments: | I didn't work at Gemco, but every check I wrote seems to have been to Gemco. I shopped at the La Mesa, CA Gemco. I loved this store and still miss it today. I also miss Piccadilly. |
| Name: | TONY STEVENS |
| Email : | tstevens3623@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | great friends & coworkers, Special Time |
| Comments: | any websites or contacts for Dublin Gemco Employees? what happend to everyone? reuioin time!! |
| Name: | Jim Bonney |
| Email : | jgbonney@netscape.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the Santa Ana store (511?) from 1974 to 1977 as a "courtesy clerk", aka cartboy. Barney Stafford was the manager, Fred D'ordine was #2, Larry McMahon was #3 and Tom Vance was #4. This was my first real job and I enjoyed it immensely, mainly because there was at least two parties a week being thrown by someone at the store. We also formed a football team and played other OC stores (Fountain Valley?) for beer. |
| Name: | Clay Kuenstler |
| Email : | clayrocks1@live.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Oh, man, way too many!!! My first job, started as a cartboy in August in Glendale, Arizona ($2.90/hr). Worked there for almost 10 years and spent the last couple of years working the remodel in Glendale and then I graduated from DeVry and was given the position of MCS/Data Maintenance Coordinator and got to travel to all of the remaining stores in the 11 western states installing a state of the art computer system only to be sent home to close the store in Glendale at the front end. My life honestly went into a spiral after being laid off, but I wouldn't trade the memories for anything!! It was definitely a partying store at all locations!!! |
| Comments: | I am proud to have worked for such a cool company, it was a blast!!! |
| Name: | Steve Hozinsky |
| Email : | shozinsky@GMFLEGAL.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Favorite memories were the bowling league and softball leagues when we had them in the SF Valley. Mondays were great too when the store was closed and some of us would hit the beach after work or go to Happy Hour at El Torito. |
| Comments: | Re: Rex Ogimachi: John, I worked with your father. I can't remember if it was at Granada Hills, Woodland Hills or North Hollywood, maybe it was all three of them. Rex was a super hard worker. He was a #3 (hard goods manager) when I worked with him. I was a department manager and night crew manager at Christmas time. He would finally loosen up and smile a little after we worked like a 12 or 14 hour shift. He was a good dude to work for. I do miss those days and all the great people I met. |
| Name: | Carol Garnier Dutra |
| Email : | 46cdutra@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://carolgarnierdutra.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Dear Web Master, Please update my email address to read 46cdutra@gmail.com. Unintentionally, I left off the 46 that is a part of my email address. I would love to hear from anyone who worked at the San Jose Gemco on Hillsdale Avenue back in the early to mid nineteen sixties. Carol Garnier Dutra . |
| Name: | Scott Meloy |
| Email : | s.meloy@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Sooo many! X- mas setups, tricycle races on the main aisle @ 3AM, throwing people into the display pool, cabbage patch doll drawings, mondays with the radios cranked, softball games, parties, pitching quarters to see who bought the coffee, etc, etc. Hell,I sold a lawn mower to the actor Woody Strode(think Spartacus) But most of all, the awesome people I got to work with. I still have a framed poem from a x-mas temp named Germaine, about the Ladies Dept crew at Glendora 1n 1976 hanging in my garage. Here's to Tina,Donna,Debbie,Mikie,Anne,Lois,&Mary. |
| Comments: | I started at Glendora in'72, transfered to San Gabriel, and closed La Puente in '86. I would love to here from any of my old "family", like Janet(Malozzi)Caldwell,Gail Valentino,the Chilstrom's,the Hoover's,Ron&Janet Holmes,Roger Goff,George Spellman,Bob Daly,Gary Weber,Nina Dei,Donna Ferguson,Mikie Hooper,Dorothy DeGraff,Barbara Erickson,Josie Archuletta,Mike Lavalle,Rudy Gonzales,MaryAnn Mann,Ellis Thomas,and all the rest who I failed to list. Please don't feel slighted!Please drpo me a note! |
| Name: | Carol Garnier Dutra |
| Email : | 46cdutra@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://carolgarnierdutra.blogspot.com/ |
| Comments: | I worked on the 'reception desk' from 1963 to 1964. I was paid a whopping fifty cents an hour, and I took all the overtime I could get! I remember having a cheese sandwich with one piece of lettuce, and a touch of mayo on white bread for dinner every day with a coke because that was all I could afford. Yes, I was quite thin back in 1963 - 1964! The first MacDonald's in San Jose, California opened up close to the Gemco in ’63-’64. The MacDonald's opened up on Kooser Road, which was across from Camden Avenue where the Gemco was located. The burgers at that first MacDonald's were 25 cents each. I did buy those 25 cent burgers to try to fill the empty void in my stomach! I guess the lack of 'fast food' back in those days was WHY most of us were on the 'slim' side! If anyone I used to know at the Gemco in San Jose, California located on Camden Avenue should read this, I would enjoy hearing from you. I met my husband through a mutual friend who worked in Gemco, so Gemco had a hand in who I met and married. Today, I have several Google Blogs online, and several 'stand alone' pages. You can read my material by going to my Carol Garnier Dutra Blog and scrolling down to my profile. Click on my profile and you will find a list of ‘live links’ to my Blogs. I am retired, and I spend my time gardening, cooking and writing. I love to write! I have lived in Massachusetts, New York and of course California. I have a lot to write about. Take care, thank you for reading, and please show your membership card otherwise I will have to look you up in the Gemco registration file. Meanwhile I will click and click and click, counting all the nice people rushing into Gemco to buy, buy, buy...! Carol Garnier Dutra . |
| Name: | Skip Fatzinger |
| Email : | skip_lou@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Opening the Mira Mesa store with 150 Cabbage Patch dolls and 5000 customers wanting them. |
| Comments: | I helped open the Escondido and Mira Mesa stores. Worked remodels of a couple of Arizona stores, Culver City and a couple of others I can't remember. |
| Name: | Mike Gorajewski |
| Email : | mgorajewski@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was my first real job in 1974 pushing baskets in. This was before the motorized machines like Target has. We had competitions who could push the most baskets down the main isle without hitting someone or an endcap. Wow that was fun!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comments: | I know its been a long time since Gemco folded, but it would be great to have a reunion. Im looking for Wally Reisbeck and Rick Cueavas from the La Puente store. Anyone know them???????? |
| Name: | Lauri (La) Greene |
| Email : | journey2@ix.netcom.com |
| Comments: | I worked at the La mirada store then moved to the Yorba Linda store.I really Miss all the people i worked with and would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.I last worked in the audio dept. |
| Name: | David Thomas |
| Email : | davidthomas11@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I used to work for GEMCO in 1986 in Bakersfield, CA, I still have memories of the time we almost went on strike. I was able to track down the two headlines in our local paper when it happened. I also was there when we closed the store. |
| Name: | Pat Flynn |
| Email : | flynn.pat@comcast.net |
| Website: | http://patflynnrealtor.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Can't pick just one. |
| Comments: | I was at GEMCO's Buena Park headquarters from March, 1984 to
August, 1986, as Policies & Procedures Manager, then Director of
Training. I loved working there -- so many wonderful people. I left to
start my own business, little knowing that GEMCO would close just three
months later. I have a PDF of the GEMCO company newspaper issues in
case anyone is interested. I can't figure a way to include it here. All the best! (Note from Gemco webmaster- I posted her newsletters at http://www.royhooper.com/GemcoEmployeeNewsletters.html) |
| Name: | Chris Hunt |
| Email : | charles.hunt41@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I have a lot of great memories working at gemco.Met a lot of great people.The memory that stands out is helping to open the victorville store.In that short time working under Jim Blakey and Rob Evans I learned more about retail than some do in a career.I base that after working for several retailer after Gemco. |
| Comments: | I started in lancaster then worked at gardena,victorville,la mirada east fullerton and finished at carson.I sold Larry Roland a honda 350,wonder if he still has it? . |
| Name: | Tony |
| Email : | agvxd9@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at bellflower 529 |
| Comments: | I worked with george Ramos, lisa Adamson, Lori Morales, and a bunch of others. Those were good days. Remember stocking oil when it was still in a paper can-messy. Night crew was awsome. I wonder what ever happened to Becky McNally, Ken Kaplan, Danny Black or any of those I listed above |
| Name: | Cheryl Grinstead |
| Email : | bogusshreder2011@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | STARTED OUT IN LONG BEACH,FROM THERE WENT TO BELLFLOWER, HUNTINGTON BCH,LA MIRADA,GARDENA,AND CLOSED CARSON.HAVE ALOT OF GREAT MEMORIES OF PEOPLE AND PARTIES! I'VE BEEN WITH MARSHALLS SINCE.MY MOM ALSO WORK FOR GEMCO,JOYCE GRINSTEAD.DROP US A LINE! |
| Name: | Johnny "the King" Larue |
| Email : | Johndared@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All of the good friends I met there. I was in High School and this was my first job. We used to have some wild house parties back then. Chuck Meano put a 25lb bag of dog food in one of the plastic bags to show how strong the plastic bag was and the bottom immediately gave way once he lifted the bag off the checkstand. When the dog food hit the floor, 25lbs of kibble went spilling all over the place. Or course, Chucky didn't clean it up, but he sure looked like an idiot!!! |
| Comments: | Would love to find out how Tony Gallo, Marlin Okamoto, Alan Leckey, Mike Alba, Julie Lombardo, Randy Cocking and other folks from the Cerritos store #520 are doing these days... |
| Name: | Johnny "the King" Larue |
| Email : | Johndared@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All of the good friends I met there. I was in High School and this was my first job. We used to have some wild house parties back then. Chuck Meano put a 25lb bag of dog food in one of the plastic bags to show how strong the plastic bag was and the bottom immediately gave way once he lifted the bag off the checkstand. When the dog food hit the floor, 25lbs of kibble went spilling all over the place. Or course, Chucky didn't clean it up, but he sure looked like an idiot!!! |
| Comments: | Would love to find out how Tony Gallo, Marlin Okamoto, Alan Leckey, Mike Alba, Julie Lombardo, Randy Cocking and other folks from the Cerritos store #520 are doing these days... |
| Name: | John Peragallo |
| Email : | jp_bmx@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite GEMCO memory was watching the members shopping in the store one afternoon bust out in laughter when over the intercom was the older lady in the Children's dept. forgetting who she was paging and said "Oh S__T" instead. |
| Comments: | I worked from 1978 to 1984 full & part time at times in the Mountain View (#535) and Cupertino (#503) stores in the following depts: Cart boy, Pharmacy, Housewares/Toys, Credit, Domestics, Cashier, & fill-in in other depts when they were shorthanded. I met a lot of great people who worked there and would welcome an e-mail if you remember working with me. |
| Name: | KIM MCCARTY |
| Email : | KIMSKIDSARS1961@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | just all the fun i had at the san gabriel store from 1977 to 1986 those were the best times |
| Name: | Clay Brasuell |
| Email : | andretta123@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Many!! |
| Comments: | A simple time in life. I worked at Hillsdale S.J, East S.J, Cupertino,Fremont, and Redwood City. Good years. |
| Name: | Kenda Hornak |
| Email : | kenda@localcomputerservices.net |
| Website: | http://www.localcomputerservices.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My ex and I worked at Culver City, Torrance, helped out at Gardena. I also was the assistant Manager of fine jewelry at Downey. Going out for drinks at the Denny's bar next to the Culver City store. |
| Name: | Dean Solomon |
| Email : | dmsolomn@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Well I was a Lucky employee at store 519 in woodland hills do we count? if so I remember we had a break in at the store while we were still inside they came in through the roof in the warehouse we were able to get out and call the cops and they sent a dog in.. it located the guys and they were caught problem is the next morning when the opening crew was coming in the K9 left his calling card behind and from what I heard it was pretty potent... anybody remember that??? |
| Comments: | anybody that worked at 519 send me an email.. |
| Name: | Tammy Tarry AKA Tammy Smith |
| Email : | tammy.tarry@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the employees! Wonderful friendships! |
| Comments: | I could still probally tell you where anything you want is
located inside Gemco. I worked at the Escondido Calif store for 6
years. I started out as a variety checker, and moved to Ladies Wear and
stayed their most of the time. I absolutely loved all the employees
there. There were so many friendships among employees. The customers
always knew you too! I saw and came in contact with more people during
my Gemco years than I do as a Licensed Realtor today. Gemco was the
best job I had back in the day. Anyone from Escondido Store
549..."Hello"!!!! I also remember when we had to go on strike and walk
the picket line! Now that is something that doesn't happen everyday! |
| Name: | Larry Brock |
| Email : | larrybrock@bellsouth.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THE PEOPLE |
| Comments: | I worked at stores 583 and 584 in Houston, Texas. The employees at Gemco helped build my retail foundation. Love it or hate it, I've now been in retail for 34 years, but love every minute of it! |
| Name: | Barbara Davenport |
| Email : | utootalu@aol.com |
| Comments: | just to let you all know if there is any pension monies due you..call the drug trust fund and they will have to hook you up or put you in touch with the necessary people..try 323-666-8910 or 877-254-2586.. I still have my original Gemco card.....in case someone still looking for a copy..e-mail me.. |
| Name: | Rebecca Sarzo |
| Email : | rebeccasarzo@adelphia.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Shopping with my Mom as a kid in the 70's at the Granada Hills store. Having a hot dog at the concession and then off to shop. Every weekend. Bought my favorite sweater ever and some funky silk screen t shirts. Later in the 80's I modeled for the Courier. Great people to work with. I often reflect back and it's always with a smile. Now it's a Target and I get a bit choked up when I pass it cause Mom's not with me anymore. Great memories though. |
| Name: | Ken Dunham #540, Tempe, AZ |
| Email : | skullee@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The people! Every Friday or Saturday night somebody was having a party, or we would see a movie, or go to Kiwanis Park and play volleyball. |
| Comments: | How I miss those days! I started in 1984 while I was in high school during the remodel for $3.35 per hour. I worked my butt off and got a job in the Warehouse working with Lenny Lockhart, Richard Flower, and Scott Nueremberger. Gemco was the BEST place to work with a lot of great people. I hope all who read this have as many fond memories as I do. I miss you all!!! |
| Name: | Rick Rodela |
| Email : | bizdr@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the Hot Ladies that used to flirt with me, I was just 16 & 17 and they used to like to get me worked up. I sure would like to say hi to them. |
| Comments: | I worked at the San Gabriel store. I still ride a Harley but
it is a lot bigger now, but so am I. I am now 52 and happily married
and had four children. I have been pretty much in sales, but I just
spent the last four years at DeVry University going to school for
Computer Networking & Communications Management. I will be
graduating with a B.S. in around three months. Gemco Alumni from San Gabriel, feel free to write to my e-mail: bizdr@hotmail.com Rick Rodela |
| Name: | Jeanne Guerra |
| Email : | jgpg5464@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Grabbing a quick kiss from Paul in the Gemco Downey wharehouse. We've been married for 44 years. |
| Name: | Roger T. |
| Email : | rog5ger@dslextreme.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Opening new stores and making friends,.OH yea pulling clean
jokes on all. Those that I worked with will remember. |
| Comments: | Hunington Beach and San Bernardino |
| Name: | John Ogimachi |
| Email : | rrider00732@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My dad Rex Ogimachi was a Manager i think back in the day in the valley and in lancaster ca. |
| Comments: | Tell me some funny stuff about my dad so i can make fun of him. My dads a GM at best buy now of days, and im a executive at Target , after gemco my dad became a STL at target. rrider00732@aol.com email me thanks |
| Name: | Jim Martin |
| Email : | jimjam812@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory is drinking beer with the crew in the parking lot after work. |
| Comments: | I worked at the Anaheim Gemco #422. This store was the very first Gemco. I also worked at the Downey store #429. |
| Name: | Eric |
| Email : | bizzaroventure@aol.com |
| Comments: | Worked at Duarte...Layaway and Sporting goods....It was my first job and it was a blast....great people and nice work environment...Hope all the cool people I worked with landed on their feet after the closure... |
| Name: | Nancy Ank |
| Email : | nank@ears.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working in the Pharmacy with Rob and Ken. Two of the best pharmacists I ever worked with. |
| Comments: | Worked In Chico store until it closed in 1986. What a sad day that was!! |
| Name: | Chris Languein |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Sorry I haven't called you. I miss you guys. And I remember pushing shopping carts at Gemco. They were get memories.Love you bye |
| Name: | Donna Powers |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great people I worked with , we had a blast |
| Name: | Sandra Lightner |
| Email : | glorydays123@aol.com |
| Comments: | I didn't work for Gemco. I was a sales rep (West Bend small appliances) and I called on many Gemco stores in southern CA. I have read all the guest book entries, and am surprised that I recognized so many names. I just want to say that I really enjoyed the folks working at Gemco, all the way from the guys in the warehouse, to the store secretaries, to the small appliance department managers. And by far, the store management was the friendliest and easiest to work with out of all my customers. It is nice that you have this site to come to and reminisce. I have seen the Anaheim store mentioned several times. I was there on opening day with my parents. We lived a few miles from the store. My parents did all their grocery shopping there for many years. I still miss Gemco! |
| Name: | Roy Hooper |
| Website: | http://www.royhooper.com/gemco.html |
| Comments: | Andrea, from 78-86 I worked at Simi, Northridge and Granada Hills and I remember Gene Saunders, Ron Spencer, Steve and Debbie Westerfield. We all have fond memories and thanks for sharing yours. |
| Name: | Andrea Reep |
| Email : | phumswife@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved working in the patio department and also inventories, but my favorite was when I got to fill in at the front desk. "Good evening Gemco members and guests. Gemco is now closing. Gemco will be open tomorrow, (fill in day) from 10 AM to 9PM for your shopping convenience.... I loved to get on that speaker and make those announces. |
| Comments: | I worked in the Woodland Hills store for 5 years until, and ended up transferring to the new Culver City store where I worked for about 6 months. I started when I was 18 and left at 23. This was in the early 1970's. During my Woodland Hills days, I subbed at Granada Hills, and helped open the Pacoima store. I loved that job. We had so much fun. My cousin was Melvin Schruber. Unfortunately, he died young. I was friends with Gene Saunders, Ron Spencer, Steve and Debbie Westerfield, Steve and Anna Hannah, Danny Diaz, Dana Rosenbloom, Pat, Pattie Pam, Tom, Glen, Loretta and Maryann Mccullough, Sandy Winborne and Susie Comer (sisters), Sally...the list goes on and on. I wish I could go back. There were baseball games and bowling leagues and lots of parties. It was always a great time at Gemco. I loved my mint green polyester smock. I worked in Patio (I loved when the fresh plants would come form Monrovia nursery), Sporting Goods (we actually sold guns and ammunition), Children's (my first job with Rita and an Irish lady - lots of Garanimals)), and folding many towels just the right way, in the Dometics department. If I have forgotten any of you, I am sorry. As I said, the list goes on and on, but i can remember the faces and the hair and makeup and the clothes I was soooo sad when they closed. Even now, when I go to the Target that took over in Woodland Hills, it brings me back. My email address is phumswife@aol.com, if you ever want to get in touch. Best Wishes, Andrea (sometimes Andy) Reep, and now Provenzale |
| Name: | Tammany |
| Email : | tammanykfields@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being a little kid in west Covina back when it was all Orange Groves nearly. It was a great store and I loved it to pieces. I recall the Green Stamps and Blue Chip stamps. I was about 9 and it's was just a cool time growing up in the 60's |
| Comments: | Great site to look back at and see pics ect. I have my Grandmother's Gemco Card and she's been gone for over 25 yrs. now. |
| Name: | Heide Howell (maiorano) |
| Email : | heidehowell@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Started working for Gemco 1979, started in Cerritoes, closed
Riverside with Gene and Nick.I remember at the end we ran out of
cleaning supplies so I open a box of fem.pads. In a pinch they work
quite well. |
| Comments: | Lots of great memories, lots of great people |
| Name: | chris |
| Email : | chriskoehne@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Howdy! I'm looking to borrow an original Gemco membership card. I can give you a deposit or buy the card straight out. I hope to take measurements and make a nice replica for anyone who wants one. Thank You Chris |
| Name: | Rick Moore |
| Email : | rick.moore0444@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Meeting my future wife at the walnut Creek store |
| Comments: | I worked in the N. CA stores from 1971 to 1980. I was a Variety Manager at the Colma store when I left. My favorite memory will always be the great group of friends I made and that I am still close to 40 years later. |
| Name: | Roy |
| Website: | http://www.royhooper.com/gemco.htm |
| Comments: | Pawnee, thanks for the great comments on what it was like in Arizona. "Working together" seemed to be our motto! |
| Name: | Pawnee Carter Smolen |
| Email : | kupoet@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | First of all, I worked at 2 Arizona Gemco Stores, one in Tempe at Baseline and McClintock road, now a Target store, and then in Phoenix at 19th Ave and Glendale, now a Fry's grocery store. I would love to hear from any Arizona Gemco people out there! So many to choose from, but I remember one Christmas Eve, it was so busy the checkout lines were extended all the way through soft goods, and we were cashiering all over the place. Managers were giving us our breaks, and running water to us at the front end because it was so busy we could barely get off the register without the customers going crazy. When they locked the doors, we were almost crying from working so hard, and not seeing the light of day. The managers helped us do the closing duties--sweeping floors, facing the store, putting everything away. It was a madhouse. But we loved it because we all worked together, and there was no stopping. |
| Comments: | I am still in touch with Sheila McLeod and Kathy Haley from Gemco 523. I live in Mesa, AZ and so does Sheila. Kathy moved back to London, England, and still lives there, but comes here every few years to visit. My people included Mike Kirkeby, Ron Eibner, Bob Moore, Greg Hart, store mgrs, then there was the staff--Leslie Lowe and Brad Mauer in garden, Jodi Ryan, Greg Hunter, Kelly Hunter, Gary Vicente, Tracy McDowell, Luanna Reynolds, Beth Fisher, Mike Gulley, Michelle Szymanski, Lenny Green in Jewelry, Harold Nissen, now a letter carrier in my neighborhood, Paul Dong, Lynette Crask, Kathy Reese in Domestics, Sandy Coppa, Vonnie DeLeo, Cecelia in Cosmetics, Lori Colburn, Bonnie Titus, Jan Wiese, Kathy Krause, Bernd Logan who drove me crazy but would help out and do just about anything to be of assistance, and a fellow Elvis fan, so many others whose face I see and whose name I can't recall. Contact me if you worked here or you know the people who did. I worked in Phoenix from October of 1983 until closing in December of 1986. |
| Name: | Diana Stockdale |
| Email : | dimi8@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The terrific medical benefits |
| Comments: | Does anyone know anything about tenured UFCW union employees and what, if any, long term residuals (benefits) there may be for us? I worked there long enough to get tenure, and for a while it seemed there would be a cash payout when we retired, etc. But I stopped getting any written newsletter mailouts a few years after they disbursed. Was just wondering???? |
| Name: | Matt Jones |
| Email : | mjones@chinopd.org |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the friends and all the good times. |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco from 1977-1986. I worked in Glendora,
Chino, Downey and Chino again. I was the Hard Goods manager when I quit
about 6 months before the end. Spent a year doing remodels in
California and Arizona with Rick Battistoni and Tony Cruz.I would like
to hear from any old friends. |
| Name: | McGehee |
| Website: | http://ak4mc.us/ |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | When I was very little my father worked for a short time in the credit department at Gemco at Broadway and Riverside in Sacramento. It was the closest store to home so quite often when I accompanied my mother shopping we would stop by the credit desk to visit with Dad for a little while. |
| Comments: | After Dad got another job and we moved, we eventually settled on shopping at a nearby Lucky, but when I moved again in the early '80s there wasn't a Lucky nearby so we found another Gemco, and stayed with it until the end. |
| Name: | John Penn |
| Email : | jpenn6186@aol.cm |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working with Rob Evan, Bill Evans, Terry Wertz, Franc Farconi, all the remodels. This was fun dedicated group of people. I worked at Santa Ana, Riverside 526 and Riverside 800, Downey, San Bernarino, Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga. Lots of memories. |
| Comments: | Love to hear from the old team. I am with Best Buy for past 10 years and though I love it, nothing will ever be like what we had a GEMCO. |
| Name: | Tim Mobley |
| Email : | nascartm@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Getting hired by Dom Dommer around 1980. It was the Grand Opening of the San Bernardino Store, located on Sterling Avenue. |
| Comments: | Great group of guys! Larry Little (Stereo Dept), Matt Brown (aka Domie) in Domestics!. Anyone from San Berdoo out there?? Geez, remember doing inventories? Counting each item! Yeah Right!!! |
| Name: | Dick Eyster |
| Email : | lildickie39@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Tom Edwards, god bless his sole, had me hire his son as a liquor Dept. head. His son Mike was a devout christian, to his credit some might say, but Mike would preach to all our liquor buying members. He would not listen to me , citing free speech issues, but his father set him straight finally. |
| Comments: | Had forgotten this sight for a year or so. If any Lucky or Gemco employees remember me and would like to talk old times about all the south bay stores, lets do so. Dick |
| Name: | Ray (Ramon) Rodriguez, Downey, Anaheim, Gardena, Bellflower, Santa Ana, Cerritos |
| Email : | ccscalif@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 20 years of Great memories, I can only say, the Gemco days were the best days of my life and would love to see everyone at the next Gemco reunion. |
| Comments: | Still get Xmas cards from old Gemco friends and would like to thank everyone for their prayers. I believe that your prayers motivated me and was the moving force that got me out of wheelchair and walking again. I now can walk back and forth to church and always will keep you in my prayers. |
| Name: | Chris Neufeld |
| Email : | cneufeld@bmi.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | OCMEG Parties |
| Comments: | Company policy prohibited GEMCO parties held by managers and
employees. But the clever folks at the Glendora store that we were, we
held many, many OCMEG parties! Met my wife at the same store, now married 27 years... Ah the good old days! Worked patio, sporting goods and even the credit dept. |
| Name: | Donald Henning |
| Email : | dhenning2222@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Dad and I had the watchrepair department for 27 years in the La Puente Gemco. The menory is working with my Dad and my Sister for all those years..great times! |
| Comments: | I run onto people all the time and they say "hey didn't you work at Gemco in the watchrepair department". Then they tell me, yeah I use to go there when I was a kid... |
| Name: | Kevin Donovan |
| Email : | jkevindonovan@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All of them. Night crew 509 |
| Comments: | Anyone remember SinDonNic? |
| Name: | Sharon Slater Agee |
| Email : | pngrvstn@pacbell.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I was a customer in Sacramento. I bought a vacuum coffee maker there, glass bottom with a green plastic top and glass rod filter. I loved shopping at Gemco and my best friend at the time worked there. Her name was Jill. Great memories. |
| Comments: | I lost the coffee maker in a divorce, but it made the best coffee I ever was able to make and I miss it so much and haven't been able to find one like it anywhere since. It is like they disappeared off the face of the earth. There are many vacuum coffee makers, I've tried all of them I could afford, but none make coffee like that one. I remember it made a loud suction kind of sound when the coffee was done and silly as it sounds now, I loved that sound. |
| Name: | Kelley Geary |
| Email : | meowhouse@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Dr. McGovern's Office, Gemco, Fountain Valley, CA 1978-1981 |
| Name: | Bruce Kelly |
| Email : | bjcajs@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas set-up. We worked all night long, stopping only for beer and pizza. The next day many of the pegged items were a little off. Also the Glendora softball team (Jim Hayes, Fran Van Es, Scott Batie, Bob Lindsay, Scott Malloy, Dave, Mitch. and Larry Hoover. Great times. |
| Name: | anita reising |
| Email : | polarlys7@yahoo.de |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | the store in Downey, Ca. |
| Comments: | having moved from Germany to CA, I got work at Gemco Downey.
The people there were great to me. Found some good friends, have lost touch after so many years. this was 25 years ago......now I live in Germany again. what would I give to meet some of you again..... |
| Name: | Kimi Stanfield |
| Email : | kduplichan@comcast.net |
| Comments: | I worked for Gemco in Houston, Texas from 1976 to 1984. |
| Name: | Jim Spellman |
| Email : | jimspellman@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://www.nss.org |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My first real job with a starting salary of $1.47 an hour. I started the day before graduating from Simi Valley High School on June 14, 1976. I felt guilty when I was hired having to ask for the next day off work from Merle Mitchell (a great manager), but it was Graduation Day and Grad Nite at Disneyland. Going to Dodger games with the GEMCO gang (many who were fellow grads from Simi Valley and Royal High Schools). |
| Comments: | I worked my way through college the entire time with the company -- first with store #574 in Simi Valley as a cart boy, stock clerk, cashier and hardware/automotive salesclerk while attending Moorpark College. After obtaining my Associate's degree and staying for a third year for additional classes and building up my college funds, I transferred to store #533 in Culver City as a hardware/automotive salesclerk, cashier, shift assistant and closeout staffer while attending Loyola Marymount University. After graduating with my Bachelor's and Master's degree and receiving a commission as an Air Force officer in 1983, I briefly returned to the Simi Valley store for the summer months (May through October) until reporting to active duty at Vandenberg AFB on my 25th birthday. In hindsight, I had left at a good time, since the writing was on the wall after a failed UCFW strike attempt in 1985 and the eventual selling off and shutting down of the chain in 1986. |
| Name: | Geoff Guerin @ (209)985-0015 |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Just about every aspect of the dailey trials and tribulations
of being not only an employee of a great place to work,but the everyday
pleasures of working with the most fun and memorable comrades in arms
that a person could ever ask for in ones lifetime! It all started for
me when my neighbor "Mike Sperbeck" said he could get me a job at the
store he worked at in Walnut Creek (good ole 512). Of coarse he
neglected to tell me it would be pushing those fricking carts uphill
from the parking lot in the middle of summer when it was 110degrees in
the shade. But God got back at Mike when we went fishing before work in
his prized GTX and then straight back to work with all the bait and
fish in the trunk of his car to sit in the corner of the parking lot
all afternoon in that heat! We must have been a football fields length
away from the car that night after closing up the store when the
foulest stench floated by our nostrils and we just looked at each other
and said "oh shit" Needless to say we drove home that night with heads out the windows and Mike saying "It's going to be hell trying to sell this car at any price with this smell!! I have way too many funny stories about the Gemco's I worked at that I could write 4 or 5 novels (Best Sellers, of coarse). Anyhow I'd love to hear from anyone who cares or even gives a shoot!!!!! |
| Comments: | 512 cartboy,hardware clerk,housewares clerk/Depthead,patio
clerk/Depthead,Domestics Depthead (Only to stupidly ask my wonderful #4
Joyce Apodaca how I could get hold of "Mr. Pico Rivera" Hell,I did'nt
know it was a city down south!),warehouseman,nightcrew,and #3(in
training). 538 Store set up and opening Patio Depthead, Warehouse Mgr 510 #3 532 Warehouse Mgr. til doomsday when our store heard the news about Gemco's closing on the 4:00 news in the major appliance dept!!!!! Drove the Major appliance delivery trucks to all bay and valley stores when their drivers went on strike. Turned a large bedroom into a walkin closet for Morty Godlas and his wife. Got paid really good even thou I drilled a hole in the rooms door! (How was I to know that the entrance door slid back into the wall?) Enstalled a 3tier fountain at Jan Lee's house out in Blackhawk only to be compensated with a can of tuna the ole rich fart caught while fishing in Baha!!!! Worked on the final color scheme/graphic/paint detail at nite for 5 bay area stores. What fun we had doing that!!!! |
| Name: | judy battalio |
| Email : | myklb@verizon.net |
| Website: | http:// gemco site |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | all of the wonderful people I had the dubious pleasure of working with!!I still have memories of what retail should be!!! |
| Comments: | I worked the victorville ca store from 1982-1986. I currently
work for wal-mart. I have been with them for 19 years.I have done
everything from office to cashier. I am now a people greeter.Still
there is no comparison to gemco!! There will never be anything like it
again. I made alot of great friends, and miss them all terribly.Please
if anyone out there remembers victorville please contact me! Thanks to
larry rowland, I found this site! Love and God Bless,Judy |
| Name: | judy battalio |
| Email : | myklb@verizon.net |
| Website: | http://gemco guestbook |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | my favorite memory was our assitant managers robbie,greg, and bill hogan putting shaving cream on the telephone in sporting goods, then calling the department,and watching the person in the department answer the phone!!!we would laugh until it hurt!! |
| Comments: | I worked in the sporting goods department,and ran the cash
registers up front as well.I worked in the victorville ca store from
1982-1986.the saddest day was that december of 1986 when we closed the
doors for the last time.That store and company were magical!Everyone
were like family!!We all cried that day employees,managers, and regular
customers alike.I would like very much to hear from anyone who
remembers our store! God bless you all! Love judy Hesperia ca |
| Name: | Karen Satlin |
| Email : | klsatlin@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The lotto system they had when the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were the craze. Parents went crazy trying to get those dolls! |
| Comments: | Growing up in Simi, there wasn't a lot in the way of commerce. Shopping at Gemco is part of my earliest memories in the 70s. Thanks for this site, it brought back a lot of good memories! |
| Name: | Diane Powell 576 |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory is working night crew and to stay awake we would play jokes on each other like the guys would put a male mannequin in our bathroom its dark we are tired and when we turned on the lights we got the shock of our lifes there was also shaving cream fights. and you would find our night manager in the christmas bows with just his shoes showing fast asleep |
| Name: | PATRICK NICHOLS |
| Email : | PVNICHOLS@COX.NET |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THE EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT WAS THE BEST, WE WERE FAMILY THEY WASN'T A TURNOVER IN OUR STORE, BECAUSE EVERYONE LOVED BEING THERE. I WORKED WITH LUCKY/GEMCO 1977-1986 AND LOVED IT AND STILL MISS IT!!! |
| Comments: | IT WOULD BE NICE IF GEMCO WOULD COME BACK! BRING BACK THE OLD CREW, AND IT BE A DREAM COME TRUE. |
| Name: | suesan Oliver |
| Email : | allmunjoi@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | bought my first pair of dittos and my first rod stewart album... |
| Comments: | is it true the the Fresno based Gemco, burned down on its scheduled grand opening? I was in Kindergarden the morning I saw the smoke. HUGE FIRE... Burned all day and some said it was due to an electrical fire. just curious. |
| Name: | Rick Massucci |
| Email : | rmassucci@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many great memories to list. Made alot of great friends during that. The parties were crazy. Miss all you guys. |
| Name: | Travis Cox |
| Email : | coxguard-shopping@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 1st Job!! |
| Comments: | Gemco was my first job! I was 15 1/2 with a work permit and was hired as a courtesy clerk. I was hired in 1985 and stayed until they closed in 1986. I worked at the Bellflower Store on Lakewood and Artesia. |
| Name: | cheryl Woolard |
| Email : | scribe1128@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | It's hard to pin down any one memory, as I shopped there for many, many, many years. I loved around a lot in those days and always sought out the nearest Gemco. I loved that it was literally one-stop shopping. The grocery store had the greatest discounts, you could get a prescription filled while you shopped, get your eyes examined, buy records (remember those?) books and clothing. No store today can compare to Gemco, even Costco! I miss that store! |
| Name: | Paul Fonseca |
| Email : | pfonseca@socal.rr.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | the announcements 29"M" main isle or Good morning members and guests Gemco is now open. |
| Comments: | I worked at the Granada Hills store # 514 Met alott of good people there. Also worked at the Northridge Store I think the store # was 803 not sure? I loved working at the Granda Hills store the most. |
| Name: | Bob Davis |
| Email : | hcca122@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working at the Anaheim Gemco from 1971 - 1982. |
| Name: | Renee Heckenlaible Store 541 |
| Email : | rh820@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | This is my second time to write in the Gemco book. I have alot of great memories of Gemco. We would put out all the plants from the patio dept out front on the weekends and set up a cashier booth out in front of the store.We would post a sign on the front of the booth that read kissing booth and the cashier in side the booth did not know that the sign was posted. People would ask how much for a kiss. I have never worked at another place that was like family. Gemco was by far ahead of the times if you see now how all the stores are adding groceries to their stores. Gemco had that long before Walmart. |
| Comments: | I updated my email so if any of you read this from Gemco 541 the best store. Drop me a line I would love to hear from you |
| Name: | Renee Heckenlaible |
| Email : | rh820@yahoo.com |
| Name: | Benjamin Aguirre |
| Email : | aguirre123714@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I no good memory,because i only worked there for a few weeks. the was an old man named chuck <at the cerritos store>and he terminated my employment for no reason at all. he was about 56 about that time...i hope he's dead and in hell... |
| Name: | Nanette Markham |
| Email : | nmarkham@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory is at the Fullerton Store (Yorba Linda Blvd) we would turn up the music loud and drink after hours! Then we all went out afterwards. It was alot of fun and good times. |
| Comments: | I would love to hear from a fellow Gemco employee, I worked
for Gemco for 9 years, startign in Fullerton (Yorba Linda), Anaheim (I
also worked with Bob Boyd) and Linda Keys. Then went to Mission Viejo,
then was promoted to Asst Store Mgr (#4) in Long Beach, worked under
Dick Pease (?), and worked with Teresa Russell again , worked with her
in Fullerton too. I also managed the Merchandising at night for the the
remodeled Gemco stores. I met some really nice people havent seen any
of them since, hope everyone is well! Thanks for the flash back! |
| Name: | membership desk |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The public address announcement when the store closed for the business day. |
| Comments: | "Good evening members and guests, the store is now closed.
The staff and management of gemco thanks you for shopping with us and
we bid you a very cordial good evening." What Should have been said: "Good night all you ***holes who shoplifted from us today. Because of you, we will eventually close due to low profits. We weren't able to prevent the hostile takeover from Asher Edelman because we spent our money trying to recover the losses that slipped out from under our noses while we were busy trying to welcome you to our establishment. Sorry, we won't be back. There will be some other company that would like to emulate us in the future. But, they won't. Have a nice night !!! |
| Name: | Richard Glenn |
| Email : | theglenns@dishmail.net |
| Comments: | Curious if anyone has any information or memory of the Gemco
Department Store fire in Fresno, CA in 73'or 74'. A friend of the
family was a fireman killed in the line of duty on that blaze. Thanks |
| Name: | Earl Bremmer |
| Email : | Pandabears3@msn.com |
| Website: | http://htt:// Gemco Store. |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a good store to shop at.I even work there myself for 6 yrs. My mom & dad and my family love to shop at gemco all the time.I even live just right across the steet from gemco on vineland. I even work at that gemco store myself in North Hollywood on victory and vineland.I even work there to the end when it was time to close the door and say good bye to gemco and all my friend that I have work with for the pass 6 yrs.I even hope some day that gemco will come back again. |
| Comments: | If any one work at the gemco store at 551 North Hollywood on
victory & vineland in 1982 - 1986 you can e-mail me at
Pandabears3@msn.com I would love to here from you. I used to get
grocery carts and then I got move in working the late night. |
| Name: | Earl. |
| Email : | Pandabears3@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a good store to shop at.I even work there myself for 6 yrs. My mom & dad and my family love to shop at gemco all the time.I even live just right across the steet from gemco on vineland. I even work at that gemco store myself in North Hollywood on victory and vineland.I even work there to the end when it was time to close the door and say good bye to gemco and all my friend that I have work with for the pass 6 yrs.I even hope some day that gemco will come back again. |
| Comments: |
| Name: | Gemco Grocery #619-The Sin Pit of Lucky Stores |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyone got laid back then!, Drinking beer in the back parking lot, the parties, the practical jokes. Someone found Rams tickets in the store. When no one claimed them the manger gave them to his favorite employees. They ended up getting arrested at the stadium. The tickets were stolen! |
| Comments: | PAT LAWRENCE, ED DANTES, RON GARCIA, KEN BYRUM, GEORGE BUSHNELL, MIKE LIEN, BOB JEANBLANC, GARY LONG(MEAT), TERRY ROCHELEAU, GENE,JUAN TALEVERA(PRODUCE), BILL DEACON,LETHA POLLARD, MARGE (OFFICE), SANDY ENGLISH, HAROLD BRADFORD & JOE(LIQUOR), ISABEL MEJIA, PHIL PEREZ, PAUL DECK, ROBERTO BLANCHETTE(CUSTODIAN), GEORGE HAY, RUTH(DELI), JOYCE CANADA, I'll add more as I remember them! |
| Name: | Just another Former Employee |
| Comments: | Gemco price code: I believe the "S" meant a repeat of the letter to the left -- TKS = 155 unless the "S" was the first letter, then -- SCM = 098 All 10 Variety |
| Name: | Just another Former Employee |
| Comments: | Gemco price code: I believe the "S" meant a repeat of the letter to the left -- TKS = 155 unless the "S" was the first letter, then -- SCM = 098 All 10 Variety |
| Name: | Cheryl Grinstead/Joyce Grinstead |
| Email : | PANDACHECHA@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great people that worked in the stores and became fiends.Alot of good times in and out of work! |
| Name: | Omar Farmer |
| Email : | tehamacounty2424@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas Time and counting Christams trees... ha-ha I miss Tom Fogerty, DAP Darrel Anthony Peoples and of course Huck. |
| Comments: | I found the love of my life at Gemco and we are still married after 25 years. |
| Name: | Arlene Huggard (Gibb) |
| Email : | electriclady@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the Long Beach (Signal Hill) store from 1972 to 1976. I remember one night I was shopping with my 2 year old daughter, when she got on a Big Wheel and started pedaling as fast as she could heading straight for the "Cut Crystal" vases and glasses. I tried to chase her but she was well ahead of me. Just a second before she was about to hit the shelving a man jumped in front of her and she hit him instead. That man turned out to be Derek Pope, the number one man at that store. We talked for a while and I told him I had just put in my resignation at May Company, where I ran the toy department. He offered me a job in charge of the toy department at Gemco and two weeks later I was working there. I also remember when my ex husband never came home from the night before, so I took my daughter to work on a Monday inventory day and the management let me keep here there all day while we worked. I also remember when we were splitting up, he came to my work and physically tried to drag me out of the store. I'll never forget the look on his face when security and a few of the guy employees physically removed him from the store. What I remember most is how everyone there was like family, A very large extended family who cared about you!!! It was a wonderful time in my life |
| Comments: | I found this web site thru Barbara Davenport, who I ran into at a car show in Seal Beach. I had not seen or heard from Barbara in over 32 years. At the car show I ran into one of my friends named Bev who I have known over 10 years. She brought her sister along who we were all introduced to as "Cookie". I kept looking at her knowing she looked like some one I knew. A big group of us were all talking and about a hour later Bev said that they were going to catch up with her husband. Just as they were about to leave I asked Cookie if that was her real name. She said no that it was Barbara and at that point a gave her a big hug and told her who I was. One of those unbelievable moments!!!! I have often thought about her, Patti Pace, Bob Boyd, Bob Vogel, Linda Sadler, Phylis, Dick Bos, Claire Blanco, Naiomi, Pam DelaQuesta, Jim Forseyth, Dave Doomey and the rest of our Gemco family, wondering what they are doing and where they were. I remember the parties, the softball games, the volleyball games, and Farrells Ice when we all went. It a really, really fun time!!! |
| Name: | Joe Bodle |
| Email : | theragingbuffalo@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I started dating my wife in 1986 while we were both working at Gemco in Granada Hills. |
| Name: | Joe Bodle |
| Email : | theragingbuffalo@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I starte dating my wife in 1986 while we were both working at Gemco in 1986 |
| Name: | Tammy |
| Email : | noriko@darkharbor.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved our local Gemco as a kid in the late 1960's! It holds
a lot of memories for me, including the gas station, where my Parents
would always get the best priced gas. Even though it's been almost 40
years since I set foot in the Santa Ana, California Gemco, I still
remember the layout of the place and where most of the departments used
to be. Toys was my favorite department. Whenever one of us kids got
invited to a birthday party, we always got to go there to pick out a
gift. I was never allowed to pick out a toy for myself, but every once
in a while, my Dad would let me get a Snoopy book from the little book
department right by the store exit. My parents used to do most of our
grocery and hardware shopping at Gemco and I think that they still have
their old membership cards. We left California in 1971 and returned in 1991, but by then Gemco was gone. |
| Comments: | I really miss Gemco... |
| Name: | Chuck Garey |
| Email : | rgarey@gerdauameristeel.com |
| Comments: | Would like to hear from anyone that I worked with in Santa ana, huntington Beach,Carson,Torrance,Long Beach especially would like to know what happened to Debbie Dearen from Long Beach. |
| Name: | Glenn Yamashiro |
| Email : | glenn.mmf@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I have so many great memories working at Gemco during my high school and college days. I fondly remember all of my great co-workers and all of the fun we had after the store closed, getting together on our days off and having "attitude adjustment" time in the bar after working at the hotel next door to the Culver City store. |
| Comments: | I was hired by Carl Alexander and Jeanette Einstein to work in the men's department at the Gardena store while I was still attending high school. To this day, I have great memories of all my co-workers in Gardena (especially Annie Toussant, Rosalilnd Yamada, Brent Schoenfisch and Lucille Lalicker) and how sad it was to leave them when I transferred to the new Culver City store where I would manage the men's department. I have great memories of getting together on our nights and days off with the Children's department manager, Cindy Marzilli and our other friends, Shirley Love and Lisa from the women's department and Rita from Domestics. Would enjoy hearing from other Gardena and Culver City store Gemco employees. E-mail me at glenn.mmf@gmail.com. After Gemco, worked in the banking industry and now a Controller/CFO for a company in the San Fernando Valley. |
| Name: | Rich Williams |
| Email : | RBWJR325@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the Gardena Tire shop., a LONG time ago. Worked for a Butch Craig,nice guy.Im in Ohio now and miss those days 35 years ago. |
| Name: | David Baldwin |
| Email : | pathfinder360@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Making the announcement that the store is closing over the entire speaker system in soft goods. |
| Comments: | I enjoyed my experience at the Mack Road Gemco in South Sacramento, California. Anyone out there? I worked in soft goods. |
| Name: | Thomas Cox |
| Email : | t_cox1083@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Worked at Gemco in Cathedral City, CA (Palm Springs) as a "code 29" cartboy as my very first job and moved up to cashier and housewares. Moved to San Diego and worked in the La Mesa Gemco as an overnight stocker. Great memories, especially in CC. Great coworkers, too bad it went out of business. |
| Comments: | Need to start a facebook page!!! |
| Name: | Jen |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Me and my girlfriend Heather sneaking to Gemco during lunch. |
| Comments: | We would go directly to the cosmetics section! |
| Name: | Kelly |
| Email : | Kellyannk308@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Gemco memory is going shopping with my mom and I was such
a bookworm I used end up in book section and record part of the store |
| Name: | Kelly |
| Email : | Kellyannk308@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | AH my fav Gemco memory is Downey Store in CA where my mom
used shop for stuff especially their cosmetic like Aqua net hair care
product and vita care and pick grocery in grocery dept pick up tea My fav TV was bought at GEMCO back in da day My fav memory is I go to book section and my mom would pick me after she done shopping |