Historical Clippings Book (HC-10) (430 pages)

N 99 years ‘on , Bui Alpha Hardware keeps rolling along Union Oct. 28,1477 By DAVE CARTER Union Staff Reporter Through 99 years and the rollercuaster ups and downs of the Gold Cuuntry economy, the Alpha Hardware Company remains une of the area’s leading retailers. In the store’s near century of uperation, ownership has changed hands just three times — most recently a munth ago when Jack Treskes took uver the helm frum longtime owner Downey Clinch. : : Treskes has big plans for Alpha — suine new departments, interior and exterior remodeling in a_ historical fashion and especially the continuation uf ‘Alpha’s homespun traditions. One Alpha tradition in herself is Virginia Williams, 79, an employe of the sture fur an amazing 58 years — and still the number-one salesperson in the Nevada City Alpha furniture departnent. Virginia knows-more about Alpha history than just about any living soul, Treskes says. ‘ aes *T started here in 1919,” Virginia recalls, ‘and that was just two years after this store was built. I’m the an--_ _ tique uf the outfit,” she laughs. “I’ve . been in the same house and the same jub for 58 years.” Alpha’s most difficult test, she remembers, was when the lucal mines closed duwn. “There were about 3,000 ur 4,000 men who lost their jobs. Alpha held un until jumper ie joa ye and euple were going bac work,”’ F ‘She Seenibers when The Alpha Explosives Division supplied 40 cases uf explosives per day to Grass Valley mines. ; Today, Treskes puints out, those 40 cases have been replaced by 40,000 pounds of explosives sent to Fresno every four days for a water reclamation project underway there. Anuther period of hard times for the local store followed a 1928 fire that ravaged the Nevada City store. “‘We did business out of the basement for a _ year and a half while they rebuilt the store,” Virginia recalls. : Alpha began in 1878 when George Legg and Fred Cassidy consolidated their hardware stores, opening an Alpha in each town. In 1944, past owner Downey Clinch took over. New owner Treskes officially began August 30 andis still learning his way around the historic uperation. . Treskes, 49, has resided locally two years, operating the Yankee Peddler Store on East Main Street. He has spent 30 years in merchandising, having run a chain of clothing stores in Southern California and been involved in Northern California clothing manufacture. Treskes says exterior remodeling of the Nevada City Alpha will include a color scheme reflective uf the town’s historical era. He says the large letters _ un the east wall will be removed. A fine linens department will be added as will bath accessories. Interiors of both stores will take on a more historical flavor, he says. Next year, the owner says, Alpha will celebrate its Centennial -its hundredth birthday. The business will join a select few in the state’s prestigious ‘100 Year Club,” formed in honor of the piuneers vf California business. Honors will take place at the State Fair, he says. — In addition to its Nevada City and Grass Valley retail stures, Alpha uperates Alpha Industrial and Alpha Explosives, outgrowths of the gold inining days which have also adapted tu the 20th Century. Main efforts of these divisions presently are involved in providing materials for heavy cunstruction of dams, tunnels, highways, logging and sawmill operations. Pe the rollercoaster THE OLD AND THE NEW get toge WVirginta Williams, 79, has worke 58 years. New Alpha owner is Virginia began with the store. The Diebold safe.” pair is pictured with Alpha's ther In the Nevada City Alpha Hardware Store. d with the historic local business for an amazing Jack Treskes, 49, who wasn't yet born when 19th Century (Union Photo}.

N 99 years ‘on , Bui Alpha Hardware keeps rolling along Union Oct. 28,1477 By DAVE CARTER Union Staff Reporter Through 99 years and the rollercuaster ups and downs of the Gold Cuuntry economy, the Alpha Hardware Company remains une of the area’s leading retailers. In the store’s near century of uperation, ownership has changed hands just three times — most recently a munth ago when Jack Treskes took uver the helm frum longtime owner Downey Clinch. : : Treskes has big plans for Alpha — suine new departments, interior and exterior remodeling in a_ historical fashion and especially the continuation uf ‘Alpha’s homespun traditions. One Alpha tradition in herself is Virginia Williams, 79, an employe of the sture fur an amazing 58 years — and still the number-one salesperson in the Nevada City Alpha furniture departnent. Virginia knows-more about Alpha history than just about any living soul, Treskes says. ‘ aes *T started here in 1919,” Virginia recalls, ‘and that was just two years after this store was built. I’m the an--_ _ tique uf the outfit,” she laughs. “I’ve . been in the same house and the same jub for 58 years.” Alpha’s most difficult test, she remembers, was when the lucal mines closed duwn. “There were about 3,000 ur 4,000 men who lost their jobs. Alpha held un until jumper ie joa ye and euple were going bac work,”’ F ‘She Seenibers when The Alpha Explosives Division supplied 40 cases uf explosives per day to Grass Valley mines. ; Today, Treskes puints out, those 40 cases have been replaced by 40,000 pounds of explosives sent to Fresno every four days for a water reclamation project underway there. Anuther period of hard times for the local store followed a 1928 fire that ravaged the Nevada City store. “‘We did business out of the basement for a _ year and a half while they rebuilt the store,” Virginia recalls. : Alpha began in 1878 when George

Legg and Fred Cassidy consolidated their hardware stores, opening an Alpha in each town. In 1944, past owner Downey Clinch took over. New owner Treskes officially began August 30 andis still learning his way around the historic uperation. . Treskes, 49, has resided locally two years, operating the Yankee Peddler Store on East Main Street. He has spent 30 years in merchandising, having run a chain of clothing stores in Southern California and been involved in Northern California clothing manufacture. Treskes says exterior remodeling of the Nevada City Alpha will include a color scheme reflective uf the town’s historical era. He says the large letters _ un the east wall will be removed. A fine linens department will be added as will bath accessories. Interiors of both stores will take on a more historical flavor, he says. Next year, the owner says, Alpha will celebrate its Centennial -its hundredth birthday. The business will join a select few in the state’s prestigious ‘100 Year Club,” formed in honor of the piuneers vf California business. Honors will take place at the State Fair, he says. — In addition to its Nevada City and Grass Valley retail stures, Alpha uperates Alpha Industrial and Alpha Explosives, outgrowths of the gold inining days which have also adapted tu the 20th Century. Main efforts of these divisions presently are involved in providing materials for heavy cunstruction of dams, tunnels, highways, logging and sawmill operations. Pe the rollercoaster THE OLD AND THE NEW get toge WVirginta Williams, 79, has worke 58 years. New Alpha owner is Virginia began with the store. The Diebold safe.” pair is pictured with Alpha's ther In the Nevada City Alpha Hardware Store. d with the historic local business for an amazing Jack Treskes, 49, who wasn't yet born when 19th Century (Union Photo}.