Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2006-July 2008
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| Name: | Jack Duty |
| Email : | jrduty@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Night crew memories |
| Comments: | Worked at the Cerritos store grocery dept night crew |
| Name: | Debbie Nicholson |
| Email : | tx.debb@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | When my family moved to San Leandro when I started 6th grade (around 1966), our backyard was located directly across the freeway from the Gemco sign. I still tell where the house is because of that sign. After Gemco left, Levitz moved in. Even as a kid, I loved going there with my parents. My last Barbie was purchased there by my mom as well as my favorite watch. It was a great place to shop! |
| Name: | dale wittern |
| Email : | daleo4@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | too many to list
what a great group of people I had the pleasure of knowing (partying with) I couldn't believe there was a website. Had to laugh at the memories of some who reminded me of my own forgotton ones |
| Comments: | Bellflower, Ca 1973-76
Amelia Martinez Cheryl Grinstead Art Negrete Sherry Shingleton Danny Thompson Teresa Frye Alex Rodriquez Karen Kingston Gale Bennett Phil Bockstader Esther Colon(sp?) Rich Hibben Know anyone here? Ask them to e-mail me |
| Name: | Rochelle Sharma |
| Email : | ro_shrm@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Taking the bus (Regional Transit - Sacramento,CA)with my mom to put my school uniform on layaway. |
| Comments: | Thank you so much for this site. I have only a few
memories of Gemco, since i was very young (around 3-6) when my mom
would take me with her. Im sure she had the Gemco membership before i
even came along. I remember doing school shopping and christmas
shopping and standing in the loooong layaway line! The 80's were the
best in so many ways! Our Gemco was replaced with a Target which is
still there today and i even worked there when i was 19. When i was
hired they asked me had i ever shopped at Target before, i said no, but
my mom had a Gemco membership and we were in here alot. They were
pretty suprised i knew about Gemco because i was so young ;) i guess i
have a pretty good memory ;)
thank you again- Rochelle Sharma |
| Name: | james morgan |
| Email : | rudedoggym@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I had lots of memories as we pulled a lot of pranks at the Phoenix Az store. |
| Comments: | I ACTUALLY WORKED FOR kENNEY SHOES, WE WERE A LEASED DEPT IN THE GEMCO STORES. I WORKED THERE FROM NOV 1972-JAN 1982. I WORKED AT THE PHX AZ., GLENDALE AZ.,BEAUMONT TX., AND THE INDIO CA. STORES. |
| Name: | Joe Dauer |
| Email : | joedauer@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite Gemco memory was from Dec 20 1986. the day
we closed down Gemco #512 the Walnut Creek, Ca Store. I started at the
WC store in 1974. Hired by Doc Wright the #2 to push carts.
While everyone was sorry to see the store go, it was a blessing. |
| Comments: | Names to remember...
Doc Wright Jack Bobinac & Kathy Jack Dyer Cal Knox Mike Herbst Don Ritchie & Tammy Gerry Awes & Shelly Marty Rodriquez & Paula and many more... |
| Name: | Diana K |
| Comments: | I bagged groceries at the Speedway/Kolb location in Tucson, Az for a very short time in 1985. |
| Name: | Patrick Gawne |
| Email : | patrickbgawne@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Loved going to Gemco on payday and seeing what albums were on sale. |
| Comments: | My sister killed Gemco, really........ |
| Name: | Dolores Albertson |
| Email : | ankharoundmyneck@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | First day of work was fun. |
| Comments: | Did NOT enjoy being sexually harrassed by my boss. Anyone that thinks Gemco was the perfect job is a bit soft in the head. |
| Name: | Darlene Humphries Bellis |
| Email : | montecoresmom@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the Long Beach store from 1980-1985. I had so much fun with so many friends in the Ladies dept and Domestics. I loved making the clearance section in domestics look orderly. Jeffrie Smith and I bonded folding towels and rugs and are still great pals. |
| Comments: | I couldn't have enjoyed a first job more. May Yamanishi and I became great friends. I also loved breaking down the goods in the warehouse. Has anyone heard from Tom Van Hussen, Lisa Sotelo, Ron Fairchild, Margaret Vanderah, or any other Long Beach people? We should have a reunion picnic. I still know Janee Perry and Elaine Chambers. |
| Name: | Patricia Peterson (Borger) |
| Email : | ppeterson1@dc.rr.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The family atomsphere that we had. As I look at the guestbook it is amazing to see how many of us met out spouse at Gemco. I met my husband of 32 years at the Indio Gemco, I was #4 and he was my Men's Dept. Mgr. It was also a family affair, all of my family worked for Gemco with the exception of my dad. My brother is Mike Borger, who I know alot of you remember. He was last at the Victorville store as the store Mgr. My mother worked in the Domestic dept in Glendora...just to get out of the house and have something to do. |
| Comments: | There are so many people I have lost track of and would
love to hear from...or if anyone know what happened to them.
Hal & Darlene Kuchel (I think I spelled the last name right) Del Gossert, Bill Micheil, Paul Guera, Gary Hill, Ron Hanstein...just to name a few. I started in the Childrens dept in 1967 at the San Gabriel store, then moved to Glendora, Fullerton, Riverside and Indio and Cathedral City. As others have said in this guestbook was the best time I ever had. |
| Name: | Roy the Webster |
| Website: | http://www.pbase.com/roy/gemco |
| Comments: | I have added the photos of the Stockton album that Floyd Perry had run across. Thanks again Floyd |
| Name: | Roy the Webster |
| Website: | http://www.pbase.com/roy/gemco |
| Comments: | I have added the photos of the Stockton album that Floyd Perry had run across. Thanks again Floyd |
| Name: | Dr Michael J DiGirolamo |
| Email : | DrD@2020.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I opened the Optometry Department in the San Bernardino
Store in November of 1978 and was there to its close in 1986 when I
moved my office down the street on Highland Blvd.
Anyone remember that store? |
| Name: | teri ramirez orlandos |
| Email : | nickorlandos@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | i worked in cucamonga (before the rancho) & north hollywood |
| Name: | teri ramirez-orlandos |
| Email : | nickorlandos@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | growing up with some great friends |
| Comments: | how to find everyone |
| Name: | David Goldblatt |
| Email : | davidgoldblatt@sympatico.ca |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My first beer on the loading dock of the La Mirada Gemco. |
| Comments: | Great to see so many of you. My dad was Roger Goldblatt, he was a district manager for the jewelry department at Gemco. He worked for the company for about 25 years before they closed. My dad's mom (Mae Goldblatt)worked at the Long Beach Gemco, I worked in the grocery department at the La Mirada store and my brother worked at the Lucky store in Cerritos. Unfortunately, my dad passed away from brain cancer in February of 2001, he was 59. We all loved Gemco and still miss the store. |
| Name: | Andy Herrock |
| Email : | QC_88@yahoo.ca |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great times working from the opening announcement, "The color of tape today is green" , to hearing the closing announcement: "Good evening members and guests. Gemco is now closing. Gemco will be open tomorrow at 10am. The staff and management of Gemco thanks you for visiting us and bids you a very cordial Good Evening". |
| Comments: | I started as a box boy at #403, Glendora, CA in the mid
'70s with checkers Leslie Harrington, Peggy Morris, Arline Penner,
Chris Nicholson, Ralph Contraras, Sue Riggins, Sue Apodaca, Gloria
Gomez, Gloria Gee and Irene Baltzer. In Produce: Bob Burt and Chuck.
Our store managers were Rocky Tenerali and Bob Sears. I also worked at: #423-La Puente, #491-Pomona, #631(?)-San Bernardino and #486-Riverside(Arlington Ave) |
| Name: | Jackie Ryan (Also Dill and Carver when i worked at gemco |
| Email : | myangeldamo@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://myangeldamo.zoomshare.com/ |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Getting through the christmas holidays and living. That was such a crazy time of year |
| Comments: | Hi I worked at the Indio store in 1976, then Cerritos
from 1977 until I transferred to Fountain Valley. I was pregnant when I
was at FV and I had a babyboy named Damian Carver, but as life
progressed he went my Damo. My son passed away on February 12, 2006 one month shy of his 20th birthday, he was my oinly child. Life wothout him is the hardest thing I have to get through, at times life is jut not living. I live in San Diego. I married a wonderful man in 1998 and his name is Mike Ryan. I will never have a job like the one at Gemoc. We were like family not employees. It Was Great!!! |
| Name: | Floyd Perry |
| Email : | pinkfloyd95209@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.bobwilkinsthemanbehindthecigar.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Numerous To Mention |
| Comments: | Well, I got the Photo Album and it is a beauty. Definately a labor of love by its previous owner who happened to be a Security Guard at GEMCO. His name was PAUL W. BARBOUR. The Photo album has assorted photos of employees of GEMCO inside the GEMCO store in STOCKTON as well as a Farewell /Christmas Party plus Newspaper Clippings of GEMCO related articles and Ads. When I have a chance, I plan to scan and send Roy a copy of the photos. If anyone out there, ever worked at the Stockton GEMCO, especially around the year of 1986, will probably want to see these photos. Who knows? Maybe you are in these photos! |
| Name: | PhiLIP LYNCH |
| Email : | plynchii@mac.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I was their the day it opened, in 1959 "501" 2300 Lincoln blvd, Anahiem. My father was the sporting goods concessioner, I worked in the stores for over twenty five years in various positions. |
| Comments: | Honestly feel it was the forerunner of what is now the
Wal-Mart model, that model is actually the GEMCO model. Recently had dinner with a past president of Lucky Stores and he admitted the worst thing they ever did was liquidate the Gemco division. No Kidding. |
| Name: | Floyd Perry |
| Website: | http://www.bobwilkinsthemanbehindthecigar.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Favorite "GEMCO" memory? They are too numerous to mention! |
| Comments: | Yesterday, I just bought a GEMCO STORE, STOCKTON CALIFORNIA GOING OUT OF BUSINESS ALBUM from a Used Book Website for $25. I am looking forward to recieving it! It must have been prepared by a Former GEMCO employee as it includes about 50 Photos of the Stockton Gemco Store from October of 1986 as well as Newspaper Clippings and other GEMCO Ephemera. I report later when I recieve it. |
| Name: | Sandy Bever |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Night shift during the holidays! Christmas party in Long Beach taking the double decker bus from Northridge...going to court with Mitch, Dan and our #2 to possibly testify against a bad guy. Did I mention we had the best store in Woodand Hills, CA..Gemco was a great place to work. |
| Name: | David Verrico |
| Email : | dhverrico@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Holiday picnics we had at the beach when we were closed on Monday's. Actually, all my memeories are great. It's because that place was so dam fun that I'm still in retail 30 years later..... |
| Name: | Denise Maiorano -Torrez |
| Email : | dmtorrez@pravacsi.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Nothing but great memories! Gemco La Mirada, then on the Gemco 541 Yorba Linda. Great memories at 541. Jim Harris was probably the finest store manager in the busines. I went to work at the main office working for D. Maggett and then on to the patio buying office. Great times working for Tom Copeland and Don Hart. I always look back and smile :) |
| Name: | Debra Moeller AKA Bogan |
| Email : | debmole@sbcglobal.net |
| Website: | http://www.rowoflife.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Many! |
| Comments: | I worked at Torrance Gemco #537 from 1981 to close. I worked in Toy, Patio and few other places. My mother, Margo Bogan aka Cram worked at Culver City Gemco #574. My best friend Carmen Escarpa worked at Culver City, as did her husband, Kevin Sullivan. My father, Norman Bogan, worked at Gardena Gemco. My exhusband, Ralph Moeller, worked at several Lucky Stores and at the grocery section of Carson Gemco. |
| Name: | Fred |
| Email : | fshttopic@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I rememeber shopping with my mother when I was around 5 or 6 at the location on Indian Hill Blvd in Pomona. We'd drive our old station wagon down and it was the most amazing thing seeing the employees load your groceries. When she used to take me and my sister Christmas shopping, she'd send us to the other side of the store, while she bought gifts. It was so huge, especially to a 6 year old, we wouldn't be able to sneak peaks at what she bought, because we couldn't find her! Believe me, we tried! |
| Comments: | GEMCO was way ahead of it's time. Even though I was young, I still regard it as one of the best stores that I've ever been to. Only people who grew up in Pomona in the early 80s are familiar with it and have just as many good memories. This store had everything! Sams Club and Costco, Wal-Mart and Target try to reproduce that kind of service, but don't come close. GEMCO really covered every need their shoppers had. Thanks to you all for all the great service throughout the years! GEMCO will always be a fond memory to me. Let's all break open our piggy banks and bring it back!! |
| Name: | Larry Miller |
| Email : | MrMil56@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working in the credit office and waiting on, how shall I say it, not the brightest customers!? Also working night crew during Christmas Holidays. |
| Comments: | I worked my way up from a cart pusher-inner to a Credit Office Manager and worked In Indio, Huntington Beach, San Diego (Balboa & 805) and Woodland Hills. Does anybody know what happened to Annette Magette or her Mom Rose? So many people, so little time. Last time I talked to him, Rex Ogimachi was in Santa Clarita, CA. I still remember my GEMCO card number (go figure--I cant remember much else but that). Let me know what's going on with all you Gemco-ites...And where is Johnnie Lafayette? |
| Name: | Larry K. Rowland |
| Email : | LKR63@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | BEING A PART OF THE GEMCO FAMILY |
| Comments: | I started at the Santa Ana store in 66 (credit office) promoted to Office mgr in 67 and was moved to Fountain Valley until I transfered to Indio in 74. Then I made the mistake of quiting and moving to Wash State for 3 years. I missed my old job, so I flew back to Ca to meet with Larry Bagley and Herb Balius. Herb told me to pick my store, I wanted the Victorville store and he gave it to me. I was there from opening to closing in 86. I still live in the area. I remember so many wonderful people and wonder where they are now. Roy Woodbury died in 2006, in case anyone knew him. |
| Name: | Neil Jessen |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | As a kid, hiding underneath those round clothing racks in the womens clothing department when I was there with my mom. Either that, or going to the sporting goods section with my dad to buy our tackle for our many fishing trips we made. |
| Comments: | I just wanted to say thanks to all the Gemco employees. When I was a kid, my parents would go to the Gemco on Lincoln street in Anaheim. I practically grew up at that store! We used to go to either Gemco or Sears for just about everything we needed. I have a lot of memories of going into that store. |
| Name: | Kenton Sellgren |
| Email : | KSellgren@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I first moved into Cerritos in 1972. I was 8 years old.
After a few years of regular shopping with my mom, the Manager decided
to start a raffle each month for a bicycle. A year later I won. |
| Comments: | I was reading some of the entries and it sounds like
that some of the crew did not like pushing carts. The Cerritos manager
found an easy way out of this and how to get the carts back in 100%.
For every 3 carts you brought in, you were given 3 tickets in return.
The match to each ticket would go into a bucket for the monthly
drawing. While Mom would do her shopping, I would be out in the parking
lot shasgging carts and getting those tickets. By the way, at the closing of the Cerritos store, the manager was Danny Rydman. If anyone has heard from him, could you forward him my adress. We went to school together. Thank you Gemco Staff. |
| Name: | Pete Chilstrom |
| Email : | workload3@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All 10 Variety !!!! |
| Name: | chris m. |
| Email : | lepto@jun.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/lepto |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | i was a kid when Gemco was around in Fountain Valley (now Sam's Club) i used to love when my Mum would take me there - she would get me a ICEE as soon as we came in then it was straight to the music dept. where i messed around with the guitars+drum sets. i loved the record dept. and still have some cassette tapes of breakdance music i got there - ha!! |
| Name: | Ron Zwolak |
| Email : | zwolak_ronald@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked both stores in Riverside. Started as a 99 cleaning the store and ended up warehouse Mgr. Transfered to N.C. Memco then to Md. I really enjoyed working at all the different stores with so many different and fun people. |
| Name: | Pat Miller, AKA: Van Bibber, Felix, Miller, now Bridges...lol |
| Email : | fireupwithpatti@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So many wonderful, funny, and intense memories...I worked in several of the bay area stores. (also seven gran/re-grand openings)1971-1986 I started in the Wig Department and proceeded to Dept.Head of Hardware/automotive in Fremont then Housewares Depy. Head to Home furnishings DH to customer service rep. on the front end. Anyone remember? Ralana, Gloria, Phil Reddick, John Hagopian, Geoff Garren, or June, Joel?????...just to many to list! How 'bout the golf tournaments???? If Gemco was around today, I think, I would still be with them. Thanks for the memories, would love to hear from any of you. |
| Name: | ERIC |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I HAVE FAINT MEMORIES OF BEING AT GEMCO.. |
| Comments: | IM VERY GLAD TO FIND THIS SITE....UNTILL NOW GEMCO WAS AN UNCONFIRMED MEMORY! |
| Name: | Ed Scaife |
| Email : | azshadow99@hotmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/azshadow |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked in Sacramento at the Fulton store 85-86 (right at the end!). |
| Comments: | Great site! Great memories! |
| Name: | Ed Scaife |
| Email : | azshadow99@hotmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/azshadow |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked in Sacramento at the Fulton store. |
| Comments: | Great site! Great memories! |
| Name: | Donna Duncan (then: Harrison-Lowry) |
| Email : | macabre64@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being so proud of opening the "prototype" store on Nogales in Rowland Heights. |
| Comments: | I miss some of my co-workers. I worked with some GREAT people there. Tony and Janie in upper management, NOT among them. |
| Name: | Rich Williams |
| Email : | RBWJR325@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Gemco tire shop in 71 72? Butch Craig was the Service Man.I later worked at Gemco tire shop at Lakewood & Artesia.Service Manager was a nut.Good Jobs though! |
| Name: | Cyndie Crouch |
| Email : | cbebop@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory is falling in love with the founder of Gemco's son, Steven Grand. I met him while helping set up the opening of the Gemco in Mtn. View. Le Gran jewelers was the original owner, and then sold to Lucky's. We didn't end up staying together, but that's okay because first loves stick with you forever. |
| Comments: | Gemco was a great foundation for my work ethic the rest of my life. "Have fun, work hard, make it your family and have patience with the customer." there are so many great memories and anecdotes, that a book should be published. Isn't it wonderful that a chain store can make such a difference in so many people's lives? I wonder if macy's, target, or kmart has a website signed by so many ex employee's? |
| Name: | Keith |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved spending time in the toy section, looking at all the Star Wars action figures. This was while my mom was buying the groceries. |
| Comments: | I also enjoyed hiding in the middle of the clothing racks. I think it was very cool that Gemco had a nice hunting section, too. |
| Name: | Nicole Jackson |
| Email : | chrinimo@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I used to love Gemco back in the late 70's. We used to
go to the one in Long Beach, Ca. I was about five and I was a new
reader. I loved reading all the signs out loud to my dad who was so
impressed that I could read. The used to have a little hamburger place inside that one too and my mom would take us to eat there. It was such a treat. Thanks so much for having this site. |
| Name: | don |
| Email : | dgh921@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | when scanners were 1st installed at la puente gemco |
| Comments: | I worked in the liquor dept with Joe Bacerel, Rocky was our manager. Karen Pusateri was a box girl that I remember. Also Irene, Delia Ponce, Mary Wion, Bruce Husband, Sandy, Liz Washington, I also remember Connie our 3rd person, Frank our Deli person, Tony in produce . It was a very long time ago about 1978 or so. I took early retirement after 28 years with luckys/albertsons |
| Name: | Annette (Widrig) |
| Email : | annette715@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I started in the San Diego store in 1976 (remember
manager Glen Amick and so many other people whose faces I can pictures
but not names). A lesson that always stuick with me was when Dept. Head Mike (fun guy and partier too) went skiing and broke his leg. I remember him actually getting into trouble for getting hurt - they told him he should have been more responsible. (?) Now, as a makeup artist for brides, I work with my hands and have actually found myself protecting my right hand, keeping that lesson in mind. Strange. Transferred to Oceanside store when it opened and stayed until 1983 when I moved away to get married. Had a really, really great time at that store! Worked in Sm. Electrics and then Cosmetics for years. Nicest people everywhere in that store! |
| Comments: | So many great memories! Part of it seems to be that we
were all around college age so I think of it the way that many people
probably remember their college years. When you think about it, a lot
of us had a great deal of responsibility for our ages. I remember
meeting with vendors and placing huge orders for Christmas gift sets.
I'll never forget John Amick (#2) saying, "I trust you, you can do it."
That made me want to do a great job.
I remember Robert Romero bringing in Tamales for the managers on Christmas Eve to supposedly bribe them for best days off, but I have a hunch Robert and his generous family would have done that anyway. Remember having to be back at work waaay before dawn the day after Christmas to do markdowns and get ready for the sales. I remember seeing "guests" at 6:00 a.m. actually run from the front door to the Christmas dept. to get the sale mdse. It's Christmas time as I write so it really comes back. Mike Maples, John & Bonnie Amick, Seth Jenkins and the baseball team. Parties afterwards. Rick Carpenter who married the store secretary when they moved to another store and had twins. Don't know where they are now. And sadly, Richard Drake who was killed in a car accident commuting to work the night shift when another store opened. There are so many of you I remember with such great fondness! Had a great time reading and finding the few names I knew. Glad to hear that it was a good experience for so many others too! I had already moved to the Midwest (I'm near Chicago) when my family told me the stores were closing, and really worried about you all. Keep writing! The warehouse was always a great place to hang out. The dirty jokes from the truckers that the guys passed on to us were great for a break. I have a few pictures I'll try to post if I can. I know one has Robert Romero in a Santa Suit with Blues Brothers type sunglasses for Halloween. . . I've been married for 24 years and maybe time enables me to mostly remember the good times - but there were a lot. Bless you guys and hope you're all doing well! |
| Name: | Tammy Welch |
| Email : | tamps46@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | At the International Bed and Jewelry Show on 16 Dec 07. got a lot of nice stuff. Beats paying for shipping and handling. |
| Name: | Robert Jones |
| Email : | bobjones.svfl@aol.com |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco 503, Cupertino and 504 San Jose Hillsdale from May 1971 until March 1982. I worked there through HS and College. I had met girlfriends there plus many good friends. In fact my current boss was someone I worked with at Gemco. |
| Name: | Jon Cote |
| Email : | dealinthedevil@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The GEMCO crew.... |
| Comments: | My journey started at Gemco 531, Sacramento/Fulton Ave. Gemco was the best job by far one could have ever wanted. At the time (1976 -1986) I always thought at he time that we were overpaid (speaking for myself of course). I started in the toy department and several months later became a Department Head for Patio, Hardware/Automotive then Housewares. I think I was taking home around $400.00 wk. (big money for a 20 year old back then). After gaining knowelege of working in several Departments I was transfered to 547/Reno for a short time before returning to my now favorite store 507/Riverside Blvd. (what a store) I also worked at 809/Mack Road for a few years in between jumping between the Sacramento stores. I was eventually promoted to Member Service Manager (MSM), a newly created position towards the end of the Gemco era. I finally finished with Gemco at the Riverside location. I truly miss many of the co-workers and friends that I worked with over the years. If any of you are still around , I'd enjoy hearing from you. |
| Name: | Dennis Boren |
| Email : | chiefpettyofficerretired@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | While at #578 we went threw a pertty big earth quake. It was not my favorite memory, but I will never forget it. |
| Comments: | I started at Walnut Creek, Ca. #512 in Hardware/ Automotive Clerk 1976-1977. Transfered to #510 San Leandro,Ca. 1977-1979, Housewares, Toys and Patio Department Head then Warehouse Manager. A short time at #578 Dublin, Ca. as Warehouse Manager before Transfering to GEMCO Major Appliances Distribution Center, Milpitas, Ca. as Warehouse Supervisor in 1979. Stayed there for one year before leaving GEMCO for Eugene, Oregon and a new job as Asst. Manager for Fred Myer Stores. I knew Target was coming. |
| Name: | Jim Steward |
| Email : | jimsteward@charter.net |
| Website: | http://www.stancomarriage.org |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The day that I remember most is the day the main air conditioning supply crashed through the ceiling and came down like dominos down the main aisle. My diamond salesman jumped over the counter out of the way. |
| Comments: | Modesto, Store 542. Jewelry Manager. Started as camera sales. Worked in Modesto from 1977 until the end in 1986. My wife and I both worked in the store. She got hired as closing store security and worked longer than I did at the end. We both still miss Gemco. It was our favorite place to shop even after working there all those years. |
| Name: | Barb Lawrence |
| Email : | barbian7@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://woofnanny.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I used to enjoy working out in the back, waiting for the customers to drive up so I could load their cars (I don't remember what we called it anymore). I still drive by there and reflect. |
| Comments: | I worked for Food Basket (before it was Lucky) at the Gemco in La Mesa in the late 70's. I remember racing with co-workers to see who could bag the fastest (I still rock at organizing a bag or a box). I seem to remember the pallet races someone referred to earlier. The employee sales they had were brilliant--items that were slightly damaged were offered at discounted prices. It was fun there--I should have stayed longer than I did. I left to work for a department store, and it wasn't the same vibe. But I remember several of my co-workers fondly. Is there a way to upload photos here? I have some! |
| Name: | Jay Dannen |
| Email : | jaanhami@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | It was great to just hang out after or before my shift
and hang with the group of us. Met my first girlfriend there.
My Dad was a District Manager for all the 13 Gemco jewelry depts, so I got the job inside, instead of pulling carts. me and my co workers on slow nights would pull pranks on each other just before facing time. Ahhhhhh, facing time. I loved that. Crank the radio in auto dept, and face, face, face. Oh yes, also find pens on the spinner racks and other things that people would shop lift. |
| Comments: | Worked at the Mountain View, CA Gemco from 1978 to
1981.
I worked in the hardware / auto / small app / stationary dept. Worked at the Cupertino, CA Gemco from 1981 to 1983 - Night Crew. If you worked with me, send me an email. It would be great to hear from you!! |
| Name: | James Remington |
| Email : | mell.rem@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I lived next to the GEMCO in Lakewood, ca.
I used to ride my bike there almost every day as a kid, I have fond memorys of GEMCO. |
| Name: | Steven White |
| Email : | candyca559@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I have worked at the Gemco Department store in Granada Hills CA. From 1982 up to them going out of business.I remember all of the co workers that I had a lot of fun with.Is there anyone else that work there during that time frame. |
| Name: | steve troli |
| Email : | stevetroli@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | tearing out patio department every year to set up toys. can you believe we did that stuff. Convincing Tony Cruz that it was an hour later than it was, him sending us all home, then Tony getting in trouble with Dave Locko for letting us all go early. |
| Comments: | Heard about this from Larry Pearing. Worked at Pomona, La Puente, East Fullerton, Rowland Hieghts. |
| Name: | Mike Blumenkrantz |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I didn't actually get to work in Gemco but I did interview for a position when I was 16 at the Hillsdale Ave. location in San Jose, CA back in 1980. I had a friend who was a bagger in the grocery section and when no one was looking he showed me some pot he had just bought from a co-worker back in the store room! When I was like 10, I loved flashing my Gemco card to people like it was a detective badge! |
| Name: | Pete Chilstrom |
| Email : | workload3@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Answering all the alarm calls when no one else would. |
| Name: | Tim Murphy |
| Email : | Dmvtim@aim.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 1973 madison ave evacuees meet at gemco |
| Name: | Renee Heckenlaible |
| Email : | reneeheck@roadrunner.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO 541 Fullerton was the best store. Jim Harris store Manager best manager. Jerry Rice Warehouse manager I started working there in 1975 to 1986 when the store closed. I had such good memories it was like a family. We used to go to Goodies or Don Jose for drinks with everyone after work. Next day someone would be found sleeping in the girls bathroom on the cot (Vicki Canning)Ha! or the overhead. We also played practical jokes and we would find a mannequin sitting on the toilet in the ladies restroom. When the store close at night Danny Almadova (not sure about spelling) would turn up the music and dance down the isle. Sue Burke worked in small electrics miss her. Fred D'Odean was another manager that worked with us he was great too. And were is Rick Masucii remember fish lips? Sarah Strahan are you still working for Sams club were I think some of our people went to work for. If anyone know anything about Jim Harris drop me an email. |
| Name: | Ed |
| Email : | cbr900cr80@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Loved trucking driving |
| Comments: | Hello’
I worked for Gemco at the major appliance warehouse in Montebello Ca. for 6+ years and was a union member of local 986. Gemco went out of business but was owned by Lucky supermarket. I’m nearing retirement and would like to know if anyone has any information on the former Gemco pension plan. Does one exist? Thanks for your time. Ed |
| Name: | Darren Ross |
| Email : | darren@magiccastlehotel.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I was in Gemco at least 2-3 times a week when I was a
little kid. My favorite memory was watching Myron in the hardware
department. He was so nice. I remember he had a limp and always carried
is feather duster. I would always hear him saying, "Mamm, I'll be right
with you". He always very busy. Also.....I remember my favorite section being the record section. I loved flipping through the 45"s. |
| Name: | Jan |
| Email : | leftcoaster49@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Whacked out nights in the credit office, mocking the Disco Queen credit manager and fawning over the Greek God customer who'd stand in line and make us faint .. until he'd turn around and smack into the *#&% pole. |
| Comments: | Wow, throwback to some OLD times. Worked first at #503
(Cupertino) With Chuck Bell, Rich Weeks, Cindy Einhorn and a bunch of
really, really fabulous people. Then to #538, then #504 and Mission
Viejo for a few months. Back to #503 for the summer of '84 for my last
summer of college.
LOVED the folks who'd make a point of tearing up their cards right in front of me when I couldn't cash their checks for one reason or another ... HATED Christmas ('nuff said, huh?) Oh, and then there was inventory. They'd stick me with Dave Connolly down the chemical aisle because I ran a 10-key with lightning speed, and he knew every product by code. Amazing, that guy. |
| Name: | christina (Jan) kaylor |
| Email : | kaylorjjj@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Sitting in the tv dept at lunchtime watching my soap, all my children. |
| Name: | Tim Eaton RPh. |
| Email : | Timi.Eaton@Bestlipservice.net |
| Website: | http://www.Bestlipservice.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a pretty decent experience all around. |
| Comments: | I started my Pharmacy career at Gemco in 1983 at the
Reno, NV store after graduating from Pharmacy at Idaho State Univ.
I then became the Pharmacy manager at the Sparks store until they closed! |
| Name: | Deni Richardson |
| Email : | reagan1955@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So...so many. Out of all the fun memories the one (although embarressing) that sticks in my mind is......I was sitting in the snack bar by myself, I had a major crush on my #2, he was walking out with a few of the the other managers and I was trying to act like I didn't notice him, I crossed my legs and kicked over the chair in front of me. GOT HIS ATTENTION! So many more involving my #2. |
| Comments: | If anyone has any info on Ron Spencer please e-mail me!!!!!! |
| Name: | Deni Richardson |
| Email : | reagan1955@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So...so many. Out of all the fun memories the one (although embarressing) that sticks in my mind is......I was sitting in the snack bar by myself, I had a major crush on my #2, he was walking out with a few of the the other managers and I was trying to act like I didn't notice him, I crossed my legs and kicked over the chair in front of me. GOT HIS ATTENTION! So many more involving my #2. |
| Comments: | If anyone has any info on Ron Spencer please e-mail me!!!!!! |
| Name: | Diane Powell |
| Email : | powema8@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | working christmas night crew with theresa and jeff and all the practically jokes the mad rush of the customer in the morning for the toys after all that work destroyed in a matter of seconds cabbage patch doll and the glow worm |
| Comments: | I really loved working there. It was a blast I was
hired for christmas help in 1978 at the la mirada store and was 1 of 2 of us kept after christmas I was the store price changer for many years. also work stationary and hba. I tranfer to the riverside store the year it closed. after it close I went to work for luckys (not the same) |
| Name: | Mike Cobb |
| Email : | michaelpcobb@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO, La Mirada, CA. Setting cart pushing record (like 60 or so carts)with out assistance. Seeing Michelle and her family come in to say hi. Bugging Rene (my dept. mgr) in Sporting Goods. Doing two wheel hanging turns on the pallet jacks. |
| Comments: | Hi to all the gang, Rene, Anna, the two Lisas in snack bar, Joe and Brad in Patio, Lori and Lauri, Jeff P., Jill at the front desk, Bosses Pete, Sue, Larry, and later Fred and Big Chuck. It's now Home Depot, but it still brings back memories. |
| Name: | Mike Cobb |
| Email : | michaelpcobb@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO, La Mirada, CA. Setting cart pushing record (like 60 or so carts)with out assistance. Seeing Michelle and her family come in to say hi. Bugging Rene (my dept. mgr) in Sporting Goods. Doing two wheel hanging turns on the pallet jacks. |
| Comments: | Hi to all the gang, Rene, Anna, the two Lisas in snack bar, Joe and Brad in Patio, Lori and Lauri, Jeff P., Jill at the front desk, Bosses Pete, Sue, Larry, and later Fred and Big Chuck. It's now Home Depot, but it still brings back memories. |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday and Gemco 511 was great memory!!! |
| Comments: | I miss everyone who I worked with at 511 for 6 years
and would love to hear from anyone who worked there from or during
1980-
1986! I am trying to put together a list of people who would be interested in a Great 511 Reunion! Please e-mail or call 714-642-6827. Thanks Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday and Gemco 511 was great memory!!! |
| Comments: | I miss everyone who I worked with at 511 for 6 years
and would love to hear from anyone who worked there from or during
1980-
1986! I am trying to put together a list of people who would be interested in a Great 511 Reunion! Please e-mail or call 714-642-6827. Thanks Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday of my 6 years at store 511 gave me wonderful memories . |
| Comments: | I worked at store 511 Santa Ana 1980-1986. Those years
were the best years of my life, and I miss the family we had. I would
love to hear from anyone who worked at store 511 asap, especially if
you were there during these years!! Myself and Scott Harris, Nancy
Atherton, Matt Delaney, are putting together names and numbers for a
huge bash! You remember parties at mine and Scott's house!!! Let's all
get together for another!
If you are interested PLEASE e-mail me asap, give my e-mail to others that you know worked with us! Or call me at 714-642-6827 hope to hear from everyone soon! Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday of my 6 years at store 511 gave me wonderful memories . |
| Comments: | I worked at store 511 Santa Ana 1980-1986. Those years
were the best years of my life, and I miss the family we had. I would
love to hear from anyone who worked at store 511 asap, especially if
you were there during these years!! Myself and Scott Harris, Nancy
Atherton, Matt Delaney, are putting together names and numbers for a
huge bash! You remember parties at mine and Scott's house!!! Let's all
get together for another!
If you are interested PLEASE e-mail me asap, give my e-mail to others that you know worked with us! Or call me at 714-642-6827 hope to hear from everyone soon! Todd |
| Name: | Josh |
| Email : | joshhsoj@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I remember going to GEMCO in Colma, CA from about 1974 to 1981. I was 4 yo and 11 yo when I last went. My mom and I used to drive down from Marin to Colma once a week for film developing. I also remember getting an "ICEE" for the first time there too. Had fun shopping with mom there... |
| Comments: | Great website, I will ask my mom if she still has membership card or anything related. |
| Name: | Dorothy K. |
| Email : | doffy@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to list. I grew up in that store! |
| Comments: | I was born and raised in Granada Hills. The GH Gemco
was probably the store my mom shopped at more than any other. We did
all our grocery shopping there, and I think I still have camping
equipment that I bought there. And I know I still have an old beach
towel we bought there....scary! I found this website while doing a search to see when the store closed down (a sad, sad day). You see, I still have a small 13" color TV that my parents bought during the going-out-of-business sale. It's an 'Astra', with the letters written a bit like the 'Stars Wars' logo. The darn thing still works really well. I have it in my home office...of course, it isn't hooked to cable or anything. It just gets the regular broadcast channels, but it's served me well over the years. I'm finally replacing it with something that can actually get cable, but my old Astra still has a place here. I think I'll put it in my guest room. :) I wish I still had my old membership card. I actually kept it for years after the store closed. The pictures of the cards look just like I remember. I'm glad Gemco still lives on, in a way. :) |
| Name: | Dorothy K. |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to list. I grew up in that store! |
| Comments: | I was born and raised in Granada Hills. The GH Gemco
was probably the store my mom shopped at more than any other. We did
all our grocery shopping there, and I think I still have camping
equipment that I bought there. And I know I still have an old beach
towel we bought there....scary! I found this website while doing a search to see when the store closed down (a sad, sad day). You see, I still have a small 13" color TV that my parents bought during the going-out-of-business sale. It's an 'Astra', with the letters written a bit like the 'Stars Wars' logo. The darn thing still works really well. I have it in my home office...of course, it isn't hooked to cable or anything. It just gets the regular broadcast channels, but it's served me well over the years. I'm finally replacing it with something that can actually get cable, but my old Astra still has a place here. I think I'll put it in my guest room. :) I wish I still had my old membership card. I actually kept it for years after the store closed. The pictures of the cards look just like I remember. I'm glad Gemco still lives on, in a way. :) |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list |
| Comments: | The guy in the 526 picture on the lower right is Nick DeMartz. Worked with him in jewelry......... |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list....was a great company.... |
| Comments: | The guy in the extreme lower right of the picture of 526 is Nick DeMartz....he was in jewelry........... |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list....was a great company.... |
| Comments: | The guy in the extreme lower right of the picture of 526 is Nick DeMartz....he was in jewelry........... |
| Name: | Nina S |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | Nina S. |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | Nina S. |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | DON TURMAN |
| Email : | turman41@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas stocking and going to school the next morning on two hours sleep. all the friends I made there over 13 yrs at Torrance and 1 at Carson, |
| Comments: | Started at Torrance at 15.5 yrs worked there for 13
yrs, grew up pushing carts and rec trucks,stocking the whse the floor,
as mentioned on another persons memory Pallet Jack Racing at the end of
the night was tons of fun. But the best thing was learning what it was
like to make my own way. bought my first car at 16 with money made from
pushing carts.
Would like to hear from anyone that worked at Torrance or Carson with me, and would really like to find Terry Wertz, Bill Evans, if anyone has e-mail info one either on of them. Thanks Don |
| Name: | Roberta Santoyo (Prince) |
| Email : | bobbie045@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Many to mention! |
| Comments: | I'm really interested in finding out how to reach a
couple of Gemco people - Fred D'Ordine, last of Hendersonville, TN, and
the Gemco "Cosmetics girl" - Olga (was Herrera) from San Gabriel - and
Joe Pacheco....
If anyone knows how to reach them, please email me at Bobbie045@aol.com! Thanks!!! |
| Name: | Lynda Taylor |
| Email : | sadietlr@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everything. I worked at store 531 in Sacramento on Fulton Ave for 14 years.Christmas was my favorite season to work. I still remember everyone as if it was last week.I really miss everyone and still after 21 years I have never forgotten or got over closing. We had a small reunion in August of last year and it was great.Maybe we can have another reunion some time soon. |
| Name: | Lynda Taylor |
| Email : | sadietlr@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everything. I worked at store 531 in Sacramento on Fulton Ave for 14 years.Christmas was my favorite season to work. I still remember everyone as if it was last week.I really miss everyone and still after 21 years I have never forgotten or got over closing. We had a small reunion in August of last year and it was great.Maybe we can have another reunion some time soon. |
| Name: | Jon Shelton |
| Email : | worldinabox@sbcglobal.net |
| Website: | http://360.yahoo.com/worldinabox@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being fired on the spot for "fudging" my time card after returning from lunch (only 5 minutes!), then chewing out our store manager Ron for being so overbearing only to be reinstated by the union three days later! Also, I remember raiding the record department's 45 single rack to make great compilation cassettes in the stereo department (remember when TDK HiDensity tapes prevailed?). |
| Comments: | Hi everyone. I worked in the stereo department in Simi Valley from about 1983/4 'til they closed their doors. I worked with Scott Matyac, Jeff Perkins, Carol Ann Lafasso (sp?), Bill Kivinski and Larry Chong. Gemco was a great place and a fun job. We had the best stereo equipment in town back then and I must have sold a thousand commodore 64's! Everyone in Simi Valley must have passed through our department at one time or another. Every time a stranger says they recognize my face, I say, "Gemco" and they immediately remember me! I was there at the very end, gutting the store and taking "anything that was not nailed down" is how they put it (they didn't say anything about being screwed down, so I made off with about ten dressing room mirrors!). Remember filling a shopping cart as full as possible and paying only five dollars? That was a bonus for sticking it out until the end. I found an endcap that had gone undiscovered pushed up against a wall loaded with "Masters of the Universe" figures. My nephews were thrilled that Christmas. And how about the strike. Man, I was naive... All I remember is heckling customers and running Shakespear lines with fellow employees while walking in circles (I was in a play at Moorpark at the time). Hey - go to YouTube and type "flyinghorseknuckles" into the search engine. You will find my page there loaded with my music and weirdness. I still live in Simi Valley with my wife Lisa (Badger) and our two boys Sam and Charlie (13 and 5 as of 5-17-07). Everyone should add to this guestbook... what great memories! Jon |
| Name: | Paul Bauer |
| Email : | bauer1887@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 29c...I had the record for the longest chain...Falling hopelessly in love with K.C....Patio, with Hal...singing harmony to Beatles songs...Barbara D...I think I miss her the most...And,...who could forget the Locko brothers..? |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco in La Mesa, Ca...from 1977-1983...I started as a 29C...Then went to Patio...Where I spent most of my time in the Nursery...I left in 1983, before the closings...went to work for Target...then Home Depot...I will always hold fond memories of my time there...Hope all of you are doing well...Paul. |
| Name: | Ken Goodwin |
| Email : | kandkgood@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I always liked working on Mondays when we were closed. The music was loud, the basket ball games in sporting goods were great, and everyone kicked butt . . . When we were done we would get in my 1959 pickup and go to Frank and Nick's liqour store and buy a couple of cases and go back to the parking lot and "finish" the day - Those were the days at Gemco 505 in San Gabriel - you sure couldn't do that now!!!! |
| Comments: | I worked at 505,506,516,812,821 - I remember opening 821 in Duarte on Halloween 1985 and closing it in December 1986 - I think I was one of the few managers that could say that I opened and closed the same building - It was sad because it was a nice building - I remember the "Going Out of Business" signs - as we got closer to the last day I was putting on the front of the store Going Going Going and on the last day "GONE" - Sue Mullens thought that was great - I learned a great deal about retailing there - but most of all I remember the good times and the great people. |
| Name: | Dennis Dingivan |
| Email : | dpdd@optonline.net |
| Name: | Dave Stevens |
| Email : | dstevens@stevensdigital.net |
| Website: | http://www.stevensdigital.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Gemco after returning from Viet-Nam in '69, starting in Fountain Valley, going to Houston to open the stores there, then back to Torrance, CA to open it with Terry Wertz and Bill Evans, then on to Long Beach and San Gabriel Gemco's. My uncle was Richard Stevens, President of the Gemco Division and one of the greatest men I ever knew. Richard Stevens passed away this week, April 4, 2007 with myself, his sons, Mark and Gary Stevens, and his second wife of almost 20 years, Peg, by his side, in St. Joesph, MO. I found this web site while looking for longtime Gemco employees who would like to know of his passing. |
| Comments: | Richard Stevens retired from Lucky Stores/Gemco and he
and his first wife, Virgina, moved to Carmel, CA. Virg passed away 22
years ago. Richard re-married his high school sweetheart, Peggy, after
attending a class reunion, where the sparks were re-ignited. They
subsequently moved to North Carolina for health reasons, and the when
Rich realized his health was failing, insisted they move to St. Joesph,
MO where Peg's dauther lives, thinking as always of making sure she
would have family around her. Rich established the great culture we all enjoyed while working at Gemco. I remember him cruising through the stores with his DM's at his side, Grant and Rolf, greeting employess by name while the store managers stood by. Working at Gemco was indeed special, the stores were unique with the membership scheme, and all of us thought of ourselves as merchandisers, not clerks or associates. Richard encouraged an entreprenurial spirit, evidenced by the time Bill Evans and I drilled holes in the ceiling of the newly opened Torrance store to hang a 30' garland Christmas tree, and the time that Bill Evans caught the Puca Shell necklace craze, making announcements every 30 minutes that they were on sale in the cosmetic department (that didn't sit too well with the Jewerly dept). All of this stuff was related to Richard Stevens through the chain of command, but rather then coming down with the "stick" he would just smile and say "Good Job." When Lucky Stores took the poison pill and shuttered all of the Gemco's, Rich was crushed. He will be missed. |
| Name: | Pamela Camou Poure |
| Email : | mappoure@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked @ Gemco jewelry I enjoyed it because I was able to be with my sister more. And Lorraine lived accross the street and she would some good parties even the Signal Hill cop's were cool about her parties. Good memories and met some really cool Gemco people. |
| Comments: | My Sweet Lorraine,
Lorraine & I are 13 mos aprart. Lorraine found out she had cancer on her 40th b-day. She was with her partner Wendy and 2 of her friends in Idlyewild Lorraines favorite place. Wendy was with Lorraine every step of the way. Lorraine never had childern her neice and nephew's where here kid's she looked them so much. On 2/99 Lorraine was able to witness her great neice be born. There was such a bond between the two sweet Lorraine would do anything for this little girl. I miss my sister every day I do feel her around me especially with the animals it feels that she speaks to me through them. Lorraine was a fantastic sister, friend, auntie, daughter and partner. Pamela Camou Poure |
| Name: | LYN CROVO |
| Email : | WMCROVO@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THE COMRADERIE OF THE EMPLOYEES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS....... |
| Comments: | I WORKED IN THE PHARMACY IN THE 1960'S AND
70'S........AT THE STEVENS CREEK STORE IN SAN JOSE......OR WAS IT SANTA
CLARA ????????
WHEN LUCKY'S DID NOT RENEW THE PHARMACY LEASE.....SOME OF THE CREW STAYED WITH LUCKY....I WENT WITH THE COMPANY THAT I STARTED WITH...CAL-LABS......WE THEN WERE INVOLVED WITH PHARMACIES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITES AND ACUTE HOSPITALS... THE MOST FUN THAT I EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE WORKING YEARS......WAS GEMCO PHARMACY.....PIONEERS IN THE DISCOUNT PHARMACY BUSINESS......AT THAT TIME SOME WERE SAYING THAT THE DISCOUNT PHARMACY WAS NOT A GOOD THING.......THAT THE PHARMACISTS WOULD HAVE TO WORK SO FAST THEY WOULD MAKE MISTAKES........NO WAY.....THE PHARMACISTS THAT I WORKED WITH WERE THE VERY BEST.....I SEE SO MANY MISTAKES TODAY......FROM PHARMACIES THAT DO NOT DO NEARLY THE VOLUME THAT WE DID AT GEMCO......I SEE NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.......... |
| Name: | Ken Nimmo |
| Email : | kenprescottrealtor@earthlink.net |
| Website: | http://www.kennimmo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | OCMEG At least that is what we called the beach party runs from the Glendora store. Most were organized by Langism Nimmomania inc. LOL. Wow Gemco was a fun place to work. |
| Name: | stephanie |
| Email : | myladylowe@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Mission Viejo (now Target) location...walking in, security guard was always there. Shoe dept on the right, jewlery repair guy in his little kiosk on the left, grocery store wayyy in the back. Garanimal clothing sets on the wall... I thought we were really privledged or something to own a "Gemco" card. Teehee |
| Comments: | Right when I thought i was the only one to have fond memories of Gemco. |
| Name: | Barbara Bronson |
| Email : | dougnbarb@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Not one certain thing, but just how much a part of the community it was and what a great store. I was at Gemco every week. |
| Comments: | In Glendora, the Gemco store was a community hub. There were always bake sales, puppy giveaways, voter registration, Scouts, etc. selling their wares out front. The store inside was always clean and organized. They had everything! There was even a dry cleaning facility, pharmacy, eyeglasses, shoes, books, paint, groceries (which they loaded in back of the store for you), clothing, baby, housewares, sporting goods, music, hardware, Christmas trees, plant nursery, they had it all!The prices were great. You'd usually see someone you knew. My kids remember it fondly too, we always went there when they were young. You could really stretch the family budget. |
| Name: | John Consuegra |
| Email : | spacecoyote1966@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | No specific memory that I would call my favorite. They were all good. In fact, its a bit odd, but I have recurring dreams about shopping at Gemco. Go figure |
| Comments: | I grew up in Glendora, CA. Our family used to shop at that Gemco frequently. Many a Christmas gift was purchased there. No one in my family ever worked for Gemco, though I did cash my very first paycheck at the customer service desk there. With spring cleaning, I'll be going through my storage shed. If I come across any old membership cards, I'll scan and post them. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. |
| Name: | Diannia Walker |
| Email : | djazzyyy@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The excitment of being hired at a discount store. I had never worked in that type of retail enviroment before. When I started, it was in October of 1981 in Sacramento, CA at the new store on Mack Road. Can't remember the store number. I met a lot of very nice people that turned into become friends. Every now and again I come across some from that time in my life. I truly miss GEMCO. |
| Comments: | Thank you for keeping the GEMCO memory Alive!!
Those were the days. |
| Name: | Larry K. Rowland |
| Email : | Rowland_565@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Chistmas time and the long hours working with great friends and people. Those store meetings at the snack shop before store openings. |
| Comments: | I started at the Santa Ana store #511 (?) in 1966 in the Credit Office, made mgr and moved to Fountain Valley in 1967 and then to Indio in 1974. I worked with Rudy Stangle (store mgr) and Del Gossert, Roy Woodbury (passed away in 2006), Debbie Stevenson ( I married her and that lasted 18months), Gene Fairchild ( he lives in Wash state), Larry Miller, (lives back east, we keep in touch., Pat Borger married Dave Peterson (they live near Palm Springs) I quit and moved to Wash state in 79, worst move I ever made because I missed Gemco so much. After three years I moved back and got my old job back opening the new Gemco in Victorville. I was in heaven till it closed in 1986. I would love to hear from anybody that remembers me. Thanks, Larry |
| Name: | Clare & Ernie Ybarra |
| Email : | Clareybarra@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Just all the great people we met there and became friends with. |
| Comments: | We both worked at Gemco between 1974 to 1976 @ Beechnut
& Fondren in Houston Texas when we were in High
School. We attended the same High School but didn't know it until we met working at Gemco. I was a cashier/ front desk/ customer service person. Ernie worked in the toy department. We started dating, fell in love, got married and now have been married 30 years and have 2 kids. |
| Name: | Don hay |
| Email : | don91016@verizon.net |
| Comments: | I worked at La Puente Gemco in 1976-1978 and then went on to work with Luckys and Albertsons until 2002 and then froze my pension. I have found memories of Sandy Karen Delia and Irene. I worked in the Liquor Dept with Joe Baccerel and also with Gerry Hirsch |
| Name: | Don Hay |
| Email : | don91016@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at La Puente Gemco in 1977 and then was transferred to West Covia Luckys after about 10 months. I worked in the Liquor Dept at both gemco and Luckys and i went on to work for Albertsons from 1974-2002 |
| Name: | Matt A. |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I basically grew up in the Torrance Gemco (I'm 35 now), now a Best Buy/OfficeMax. My mom did all her grocery shopping there even though there was a Lucky's right around the corner. My little league batting gloves, white puma cleats, most of my space legos, my Dungeons & Dragons books, my first stereo when I was 12, many vinyl albums, Le Tigre shirts, and plenty of Kenner Star Wars action figures all came from Gemco. I can still picture the original red Gemco letters on the front of the building and I remember not liking it when they changed to the blue/yellow color scheme. Thanks for creating this bit of nostalgia on the internet. I spoke to my mom and she says she still has that membership card somewhere! Cheers. |
| Name: | Benjamin Aguirrre |
| Email : | bcaguirre2006@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I had no great memory of gemco. i was let go by an old man his name was chuck, he is more than likely dead by now that was 21 years ago....good....i ended up at fedco after that now i just work security...... |
| Comments: | no other comments..... |
| Name: | Kenny Yamamoto |
| Email : | kodeedotcom@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a great place to work. I met many friends. Once I got laid off from Gemco 634/Carson, I went to work for Lucky Stores 630/Torrance as a produce clerk. Gemco taught me what I needed to know in the grocery business. I ended up working in the Lucky Main Office in Buena Park for 9 years. 17 total with Gemco/Lucky Stores. |
| Name: | Stephen W. Brandt |
| Email : | stephenwbrandt@comcast.net |
| Website: | http://www.fotolog.net/default |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Favorite: The CABBAGE PATCH rush at Christmas at the La Puente store!!! |
| Comments: | LIFETIME membership? I still have the card and also my manager's card with my name on it. I would never give it up. |
| Name: | Stephen Brandt, pharmacist |
| Email : | stephenw.brandt@comcast.net |
| Website: | http://www.fotolog.net/default |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved showing my Gemco ID card coming through the door and being greeted; not like the greeter/shoplifting agent at WalMart |
| Comments: | the job was fannnnnnntastic!!!!! The guys in corporate should have all been replaced and I guess they eventually were! Write to me! I worked in Sacramento, Bay Area, San Diego stores, and LA and Orange Co. stores! |
| Name: | Rick |
| Email : | rk156@ptd.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Where do I begin! Many after work get-togethers at the Inn-Zone. Lots of hard work (but somehow it was fun). |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco 802 in Las Vegas from 1980 to 1985. I would love to hear from someone who worked at my old store. |
| Name: | Michaelle Kelly |
| Email : | kellysmicha@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | When we used to do after closing clean-up and you could play loud music...I had a blast. |
| Name: | Kathy Brandt-Cabrera |
| Email : | loansbykathy@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The FUN people I worked with at the Pleasant Hill, CA
store. Getting busted at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk by my manager
after I called in sick that morning.
Partying with the Stock Crew on Nights. |
| Name: | Patti Plambaeck |
| Email : | patricia5326@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the good friends I had. I sure miss them. Including my store supervisor ArtBranham. |
| Comments: | I worked in Northern Ca. Any others out there. I worked in Fremont & two San Jose stores. |
| Name: | John Stewart |
| Email : | osandad@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Thanks for filling in the gaps on what happned to GEMCO. We used to go as children to the Fresno store and mom would have to search for the required membership card before we got in. Now live near the former site of the Sacrmento Store on Broadway at Riverside now a Target. |
| 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!) |
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