Salem G.I. Joe’s on Lancaster Drive NE, built in 1976. It was the first store built outside the Portland Metro area. This was the 7th store in the 5th location (because there were 3 stores in North Portland adjacent to each other). My dad, Ed Orkney led the opening celebration for the last time for a new store, as he passed away later that year.
As Joe’s Sr. VP Ron Menconi said, “This was one of the biggest grand openings we ever had. Great store and outdoor-loving community!” Brian Seiler commented, “Gary O and I opened that store…we set up for hire screening in a construction trailer…we had about 400 people in line to screen for interviews…it was a long day.”