Future home of Gil’s Muffler Shop 1954 – Photo donated to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gil Schirmester 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil Schirmester (81) in front of old photo's in his shop.Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil and Dale Schirmester - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil's Muffler Shop sign - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
A note from Art Jacobs about Gil’s Muffler Shop:
“Gil’s Muffler shop has been specializing in exhaust systems for the past 55 years. Its owner, Gil Schirmester moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1946. He opened up shop in 1953 in Reseda, California until he moved in 1955, to his current Northridge location at 18437 Roscoe Boulevard.
Gil who is 81 and retired remembers when he opened the Roscoe location. He said, “Northridge Hospital wasn’t across the street, just bean and tomato fields.” His son Dale, started working for his dad in 1977 and currently operates the family business. In fact, many Schirmester family memories are captured through old photo’s hanging on the walls.
Dale also recalls Northridge’s early agriculture days. He used to ride his bike through orange groves, which is now the location of the Northridge Fashion Center.
Thanks Gil and Dale for allowing us into your shop and reflecting on the Good Ole Days,” Art Jacobs
A note from Jerry
Because, until now, there was no Museum of history and culture for the whole San Fernando Valley, much of our history is lost every day. Our endangered history is, for the most part tucked away in storage units, in garages, and if we are lucky on the walls of our businesses and schools. The Museum Community believes that small businesses like Gil's Muffler Shop in Northridge ultimately constitute a lion's share of Valley history. We will use this blog, and our new website, to relate the important role of small business and encourage the public to understand and share this history with us.
2 comments:
Another example like this was Golden Automotive, formerly on the corner of S.F. Mission and Balboa... it was removed to make way for the big beautiful new Target.
It's great to hear about a muffler shop that has been around for decades. As someone who has owned only used cars my whole life, it is important for me to have a mechanic I can trust. Shops like this keep customers coming for generations.
Post a Comment