GBA
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"Of Course You Wanted to Know"
Born "several" years ago on the outskirts of Appalachia, (later renamed Millcreek Township), a poor white boy with humble beginnings and a brutally abusive sibling. She, going by the name of Carole Rae; who in the long run, (to avoid prison time), assumed the role of a stern but loving "big sister". Her advanced classes in persistence, pain and anger management have proven invaluable to him over the years.
Gerry, after brief careers in body building, Hollywood Cowboy star and renowned musician, found his real calling was the growing automotive industry of the 1950's. Gifted with the inherited skills of his father; a relentless problem solver, who specialized in repairing the highly innovative Packard Automobiles of the day.
At this point Gerry's Automotive career is put on hold by an uninspiring high school stint, a three year military commitment, followed by four years of unabashed self indulgence. In the late sixties, Gerry is saved from further self abuse, by a loving bride and a commitment to acquire a college education. By 1970 Gerry moves on; Gannon bachelor's degree in hand, drenched in three compact years of mandatory psychology, theology and mysterious math equations, to become a service station manager for Boron Oil company.
DISCLAIMER
Honestly: my sister Carole is one of the most loving, gentle and caring people I Know. Besides; if I didn't say that she threatened to bend my finger back really hard, just like the old days. And so, after that brief but thrilling personal history: The story begins!
The year was 1970 the location; 38th and Sterrettania. Boron Oil Co, (a generic name invented by our parent company; Standard Oil of Ohio to avoid alienating PA customers) was an outstanding employer. They were strong in training, support, putting the customer first and delivering quality products. Atlas supply Company made every type of automotive product, plus how to sell it, why it was superior and how it should be installed. I couldn't have wished for a better introduction to retail marketing. The whole concept was based on the needs of the customer: find out what that was and make sure they got the best product and service possible. Gas was somewhere in the thirty cent range and the 506 zip code was exploding with new homes and customers.
All was well until the later seventies when British Petroleum, in a power move, bought out SOHIO in order to get their foot in the door of the Alaskan Pipeline project. It was a major mentality shift from find what the customer needs to sell what makes money for the company.
By 1980 I had enough, and made the move to 12th and Pittsburg Ave., at that time the busiest intersection in the city. Where I entered into a lease agreement with Mobil Oil Co. as an independent operator making my own marketing decisions. Ten more years of pumping gas and keeping customers cars safe, until Mobil pulled out of Erie in 1989, and the whole industry was shifting to big, company owned, self-serve convenience stores. Time to move again: this time out of the gas business and into my home sweet home at 1525 West 21st Street. That was 34 years ago, (YIKES) in the meantime, we've made a lot of new friends and still maintain some of the old ones, from the seventies, that haven't passed or had their keys repossessed.
And, oh yes; we're still looking for new faces every day. Our philosophy hasn't changed: make sure the product is good quality, the techs are trained and caring and the price is fair. Our goal is to keep safe cars on the road. Stop in and talk to Gerry, Craig, Pat, Ryan or Haven; you will see just how proud we all would be to have you as our customer. GB