Photo of the Month

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May 2008:
Store No. 318, Parkersburg, W.Va.

We’re grateful to former G.C. Murphy Co. store manager Jeffrey Fussell for sending along some momentos of his own career with the company.

Writes Jeff: “Sometimes I believe that Murphy’s could be resurrected and if run with an oath in blood to stick by the principles of Mack and Shaw, the stores would thrive with customers who are up to here with Wal-Mart and all their big-box cousins. If they ever do, sign me up.”

Jeff says: “This is the Grand Opening picture of Store 318, Parkersburg, W.Va. It was originally planned to be one of the A-A stores. The A-A program was dropped although 318 kept the layout and merchandising format. It was a center anchor of the Grand Central Mall—along with Sears and the Diamond Department Store. It was a beautiful store.”

	Past Photos of the Month: 2008 April February 2007 December October September August July June May April March February

Above, graduates of the Class of 1975 from the G.C. Murphy Co. School of Instruction pose for a photo at the Home Office in McKeesport. Writes Jeff:

“This was the big deal for management trainees. I was one of two who were already store managers prior to the school of instruction. I’m up at the top of the stairs with ‘975’ to the right of my aching noggin. Are the previous evening's activities still showing a bit? Looking at some of our outfits reminds us that the seventies was a dark period in men’s wear.”

Above: “This was the opening management team at 318 Parkersburg. Left to Right: Larry Smith, Asst.; Paul D Bailey, Senior Asst.; Jim LaPrie, Restaurant Mgr.; George Meyer, Manager; Barbara Loudon, Personnel Director; Charlie May, Asst.; Jim Reed, Asst.; Jeffrey Fussell, Asst.”

Jeff writes: “I have several of these. The pressure was intense to keep sales up in a mall location. Conservatively, we were paying four times per square foot on our lease than most Murphy locations. (Manager) George Meyer loved this kind of event—and so did we. This particular event was the ‘Fabulous Fifties’ sale. The assistant managers dressed up like Sha-Na-Na. Not bad, huh?”

Finally, Jeff saved these letters from the week that he was appointed manager of Store No. 3112 in Jackson, Miss. Jeff writes: “When you got your first store, they would circulate the announcement
with picture to all location. For two weeks after, you would get nice notes from your former bosses. The execs sent out a nice note on letterhead. I have several of these. Here are a couple. One (below) is from Company President Fred Greenleaf and another (above) is from Don Cox. Courtesy like this is
unheard of anymore.”

(Previous photo: April 2008, Easter displays, Wheeling, W.Va.)