Seeing how the TG&Y Reunion and the OU Red-White game are both on the 17th, want to move the Southsiders meeting at Coit's to the 10th or 24th? Okay by me!
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Seeing how the TG&Y Reunion and the OU Red-White game are both on the 17th, want to move the Southsiders meeting at Coit's to the 10th or 24th? Okay by me!
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
True as well....Originally Posted by Prunepicker
I think the change in how business has changed from being primarily an owner/operator based world, with mainly an owner who either came up through the company or built it on his own to the change of hiring the rock star CEO with the Harvard MBA pedigree to come in and run the company was a fundamental change in how both management and employees perceive each other, not for the better either. Guess I kind of miss some of the old style business leaders that I knew of in OKC and the way they seemed to run their businesses. It seemed most of their employees were pretty happy working for them.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Oh yeah, I know who you are talking about. She came in like gang busters. Had a big build-up before she ever got there. She was the salvation of the chain. Treated everyone like she was Leona Helmsley. Ordered so much product that once the stream started arriving there was no shutting it off. It came in too fast to mark down quickly enough to receive the next shipment. You may think I'm kidding, but Gen64 can verify that. It was crazy. We filled a warehouse in Florida up with that stuff. It may still be there for all I know.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
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I don't think she was thinking at all. Just trying to show off.....Wonder what Brokerage firm she's with on Wall Street????
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
While researching another topic today, I ran across a 1 page article about TG&Y in Bob Blackburn's Oklahoma County - Heart of the Promised Land (1982) and thought you might enjoy having it. It appears below.
Since several of you, particularly you, Bob, are quite knowledgeable about TG&Y, I'm wondering whether Blackburn's article is accurate, if not in what respects, etc.
What I was actually researching for was the old YMCA building, now part of the SandRidge campus, marked for demolition in the pending SandRidge campus proposal. I was looking for an actual photo of the original building (as opposed to a postcard which I already had), and I did find one in Blackburn's book ...
... but notice the caption in Bob's book for this picture ...
Unless I am badly mistaken (it happens, and it happens a lot), this building was NOT destroyed during Urban Renewal ... depending on one's definition of destroyed ... it did receive an extreme makeover by Kerr-McGee but I don't think it was actually destroyed. Far be it from me to challenge the venerable Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society ... at least not before I do further research on the matter. But, my 1st impression is that Bob got this one wrong.
When (and if) that happens, one starts accepting less completely what the same author says about other stuff. Hence, my queries to you who have knowledge about the accuracy of what he had to say about TG&Y. One of these days/months/years, I'd like to do a story about TG&Y ... so consider this comment and your replies a part of that research.
Participating Member
Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Off topic a little bit. Have you ever done any work concerning the YWCA?
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
================================================== ========While researching another topic today, I ran across a 1 page article about TG&Y in Bob Blackburn's Oklahoma County - Heart of the Promised Land (1982) and thought you might enjoy having it. It appears below.
Since several of you, particularly you, Bob, are quite knowledgeable about TG&Y, I'm wondering whether Blackburn's article is accurate, if not in what respects, etc.
What I was actually researching for was the old YMCA building, now part of the SandRidge campus, marked for demolition in the pending SandRidge campus proposal. I was looking for an actual photo of the original building (as opposed to a postcard which I already had), and I did find one in Blackburn's book ...
... but notice the caption in Bob's book for this picture ...
Unless I am badly mistaken (it happens, and it happens a lot), this building was NOT destroyed during Urban Renewal ... depending on one's definition of destroyed ... it did receive an extreme makeover by Kerr-McGee but I don't think it was actually destroyed. Far be it from me to challenge the venerable Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society ... at least not before I do further research on the matter. But, my 1st impression is that Bob got this one wrong.
When (and if) that happens, one starts accepting less completely what the same author says about other stuff. Hence, my queries to you who have knowledge about the accuracy of what he had to say about TG&Y. One of these days/months/years, I'd like to do a story about TG&Y ... so consider this comment and your replies a part of that research.
Everything he put in there was pretty much right on the money. I knew Both Mr. Young and Mr. Gosselin....Both great guys and "tough" business men. I knew Dan Kelly very well and still see his Brother Jim who runs a variety store type business. Most everything that was written in that article comes from out of Mr. Young's book "Making of a merchant"....I have his copy if you want to borrow it. T.G.&Y. Started their "spiral" when they people of Household Finance retired Mr. Kelly and put in outside Management. The people they chose were NOT Variety Store Oriented and couldn't "Cut It". The actual TG&Y Stores Should still be in business. I don't think Wal-Mart would have been anything in this market place had the TG&Y men kept running the business. RealJimbo worked at the main office when and before I did. David Green (Hobby Lobby) is a product of TG&Y Training.....Mr. Kelly was tough but fair....But, he KNEW what he was doing as did W.W. Kelly, H.O. Price and of course C.A. "Pat" Henderson....I will help you in any research and development about this project that you need....
Participating Member
Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
I'll verify what Gen64 says. May not be able to fully explain without some legal concerns, but TG&Y didn't "go broke". That story is really sad. It all boils down to gross greed on the part of a fairly small number of people. TG&Y had over 36,000 employees nationwide when they were sold. Gen64 and I are but two small voices and we both know the whole story. Many of the former employees get together once a year for a reunion by the generosity of David Green, at Hobby Lobby HQ in OKC. It is always more of a family reunion than a reunion of former co-workers. What a sad, sad thing that personal greed of a few can bring such havoc to so many people.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
If you mean the one which used to be south of the county courthouse on Park Avenue, yes, a little. While I've never made a study of it, I have several Oklahoman articles contemporary with its construction and have a few construction photos, as well as some postcards. But my knowledge is pretty shallow.
Participating Member
Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Thanks Doug. During the early 1970's, a good friend of mine had a Dr. Pepper route and it included the YWCA. I went with him on his route once and it included the YWCA. I did not know about it before and probably could not tell you where it was located today.
Actually, I asked the question to get off topic to piss General '64 off! (LOL)
No! It was a valid question.....
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Come on, Papa, why would a nice guy like you want to do a mean thing like that to the General ... sibling rivalry?
You would remember the building if you saw it ... immediately south of the Oklahoma County Courthouse ...
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Just like to razz '64 when I get the chance. CHHS-Grant thing
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
I remember the YWCA was around in the early 70's. Would like to know when it was torn down.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
The Red Cross used to sponsor swimming lessons at the old YWCA. Mom signed me up. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was 8 or 9 back in the late sixties. I get goose bumps just thinking about it...scared. me. to. death.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
I was never inside the place but, would liked to have. (I learned to swim at Elmwood)
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Were you afraid of the water or the instructors?
I learned to swim (officially) at Wiley Post.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
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Learned a lot of things at Elmwood....The girls on the Grass kept their tops snapped the ones on top.....were older.....Don't climb to the third tower if you didn't want to be "Thrown" off when you froze up and wouldn't jump.....Be careful on the Trampolines....Those Springs really hurt... and don't try to imtate Elvis when he was "King" of the Juke Box.....
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Trying to think of the name of the park I learned to swim in. It was between
Robinson and Sante Fe at about SW 30 or 31st. Very shallow. Had a amplitheater(sp?) deal with stage area for concerts. Old rock buildings that
had various activities in summer. Great place when you were a kid.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Park name came to me. Oliver Park.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Brock Park?
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
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That park was in the vicinity of the Lightning creek reserve right now. I remember there were a bunch of rock buildings like he stated. If you went east of the old Elcharrito (32/Robinson) and then north behind the old OKIE Tire Co. that's where it was. Brock park was rebuilt from a half way wading pool to a real kiddie pool.....Used to go there all the time....
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Lightning Creek flooded from time to time and covered the pool with brown water. Pool was right next to creek. If anyone knew Pete Prieto or brothers they lived right across the street. Got to go to El Charito once in a while,
it was on same street I grew up on , 33rd. Looked it up last night, it was Oliver Park, but couldn't find out who it was named for.
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Went to school with Pete. He was a year older. He died a couple of years ago. not sure how....
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
I can’t tell you how delighted I am to find this link!!! Now, to figure out how to use it…….I started my 19 years with T.G.&Y. at the store in Penn Square on April Fools Day 1966. Never did I think that it would turn out to be such a big part of my life or the memories of those years could be as great as they still are today.
Jess Murphy was the manager of the Penn Square store at that time. After the Christmas season, when everyone’s hours were cut back, I transferred to the store at 50th and Meridian and worked for Jerry Leewright (not sure about the spelling any more) and then later B.J. Hair. I would forge Jerry Leewright’s signature in order to get myself out of school and go to work. The surprising part was that it was okay with him and he would put me to work at any time I could get there. The full time ladies worked on weekdays during the day and the high school kids covered the nights and weekends. I had the fun with the other kids but got the education of working with the daytime ladies too.
I still have the memories of price stamping the tops of the Aqua Net Hair Spray with the Garvey ink stamp. And, I remember the sound of the Sweda registers rolling, rolling, rolling when we had something like motor oil in an ad. After awhile on the registers and sales floor I was trained as the office cashier. I wasn’t even 18 yet but I was doing the payroll and handling everything else that was required in the office. No computers either! Great training for later......
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Re: T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten
Great story! I worked in the HQ office, but in an earlier life worked in a convenience store and can still hear the "rolling" of the Sweda cash registers too. And Garvey markers! I can still remember using that same Aqua Net Hair Spray to remove garvey ink from the tops of cans in the grocery section of the c-store.
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