A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT ABOUT GELSON'S PASADENA
posted Monday, March 18, 2013

Since making our announcement to close Gelson's Pasadena, we have received many kind letters asking that we reconsider. To clarify our decision to close, please know this has been based purely on economic and business reasons.

While we are always looking for new store locations, we will not be able to consider staying in the Paseo location. We deeply regret saying "goodbye" to the neighborhood.

While an exact closing date is unknown, we do expect it to occur sometime in July.

All of our Gelson's Pasadena employees will be reassigned to alternate Gelson's locations; no employee will be involuntarily displaced due to this store closure.

It's been an honor serving our loyal Pasadena shoppers and the surrounding community-we genuinely appreciate your years of support. We hope to continue to serve you in one of our 16 other locations.

Rob McDougall, Gelson's President

-30-

(Encino, CA) Artist Grafton Tanquary’s current exhibition, Alchemy, is on display at Koplin Del Rio Gallery. As a longtime Gelson’s West Hollywood patron, some of Tanquary’s work was inspired by his visits to the market and include some images taken there.

The exhibition is on display January 15 – 19, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, January 19, from 5 – 7 p.m, which is open to the public.

Koplin Del Rio Gallery is located at 6031 Washington Boulevard in Culver City. Call 310-836-9055 or visit www.koplindelrio.com for more information.

-30-

Just in time for the 2012 presidential election, Gelson’s Markets, recognized as one of the nation's premier supermarket chains, launches their chain-wide series of plastic bag recycling days with a “Vote Reusable” themed plastic recycling drive. Participating local schools have a chance to win $1,000 for bringing in the most recyclable plastic bags.

Gelson’s Markets has committed to closing the loop on plastic recycling by partnering with True Reusable Bags to collect and remake plastic trash into their new reusable bags that have been brought back by their customers. The recycling drive is Gelson’s way of encouraging their local communities to join in the effort. “We are committed to helping the communities we serve to save our planet, one plastic bag at a time,” said Yvonne Manganaro, Gelson’s Director of Marketing.

“The Gelson’s location, in Gelson’s Village Calabasas, will be the first store of the chain to encourage local students and their families to be a part of the closed-loop recycling solution. All they have to do is bring their plastic bags and other recyclable flexible plastic for a chance to win $1,000 for their school,” stated Erin Grande, Environmental Programs Director of True Reusable Bags.

This first recycling plastic bag contest is open to elementary and middle schools in the Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Topanga, and West Hills areas. The school that brings in the most plastic by weight will be the winner of the $1,000 cash prize.

Eligible schools include:

• Alice C Stelle Middle School

• Arthur E Wright Middle School

• Lupin Hill Elementary

• CHIME Charter School

• Saint Mel’s School

• Halsey School

• Woodland Hillls Elementary School

• Calabash Elementary School

• Serrania Avenue Elementary School

• Calvert Street Elementary School

• Woodlake Avenue Elementary School

• Pinecrest Woodland Hills

• Lockhurst Drive Elementary School

• Chaparral Elementary School

• Meadow Oaks School

• Viewpoint School

• Bay Laurel Elementary School

• Round Meadow Elementary School

• Topanga Elementary Charter School

Students are encouraged to help win the cash prize for their school. Additionally, every student that brings at least 10 single use plastic bags for recycling will receive the “Vote Reusable” True Reusable Bag. True Reusable Bags meet all reusability thickness and strength requirements and are designed to be re-used at least 125 times.

Gelson’s Markets and True Reusable Bags are anticipating an overwhelming number of participants at the event on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Gelson’s Market Calabasas, 22277 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302.

-30-

It’s official: A new Gelson’s Market is coming to Long Beach, California!

Gelson’s has entered into a lease for a location at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and East 2nd Street in Long Beach. While the development and actual opening of the location is subject to (among other things) necessary governmental approvals, Gelson’s is scheduled to take possession of the property on March 1, 2013. After an extensive remodel, the anticipated opening is in late 2013.

“We are very eager to expand into Long Beach, it’s a natural fit for Gelson’s and we are excited to be a part of the community there,” says Rob McDougall, Gelson’s President.

Stay tuned to www.gelsons.com for updates on this exciting expansion.

-30-

(Encino, CA) Shop at Gelson’s Pasadena this weekend and get a free reusable bag.

In light of the new ban on disposable plastic bags that takes effect on July 1 in the Pasadena area, Gelson’s will be distributing free reusable bags with all purchases of $25 or more on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1 (first come, first served and while supplies last).

Gelson’s Pasadena is located at 245 East Green Street, at the corner of East Green Street and South Marengo Avenue. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, phone number (626) 535-0190.

-30-

Van Nuys, California… Each year a very special group of young men achieve the acclaimed rank of Eagle Scout. During the 2011-2012 school year, 285 Scouts from the Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America achieved that status. On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the Council will honor these young men at the Eagle Recognition Dinner at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills. Special guest speaker, Brigadier General Robert C. Nolan II who is the Commander of Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California will be on-hand to recognize them and share his wisdom.

A highlight of the dinner program will be Gelson’s Markets President Rob McDougall’s presentation of the 2nd Annual Gelson’s Markets Eagle Scout Scholarships totaling $16,000 to four college-bound Eagle Scouts from Western Los Angeles County Council.

Support from a variety of local businesses help make this outstanding event a success by providing much needed financial sponsorships. If you would like to lend your support to Scouting by sponsoring a Scout and his family’s attendance at this event, please contact Romy Longwell, Director of Communications and Donor Relations at Western LA County Council, BSA at 818-933-0103 or via email at Romy.Longwell@Scouting.org.

-30-

What a pleasure it's been for Gelson's to have had the opportunity to operate a store in the Northridge community for 15 years. We've met many wonderful people and it's been an absolute pleasure serving you all. Due to pure economic reasons, it is necessary for us to discontinue our Northridge operation. We would be honored if we could maintain the valued relationships with you, our shoppers, and continue to serve you in one of our other local Gelson's Markets (we have six in the San Fernando Valley). All of our active Northridge team members are reassigned to other Gelson's locations and look forward to seeing their Northridge customers, so please stop in and say hello.

Rob McDougall, Gelson's President

-30-

This Sunday, February 12, from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at Gelson’s West Hollywood, meet recording artist, “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star and Voli Light Vodkas ambassador Melissa Gorga. Melissa will be signing autographs and chatting about Voli Light Vodka, the world’s first line of low-calorie vodkas.

Gelson’s West Hollywood is located at 8330 West Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069, phone (323) 656-5580.

-30-

We are excited to announce our inaugural wine event! Please join us for a complimentary instructional wine tasting on Friday, February 3rd from 4 PM to 7 PM at Gelson’s Calabasas.

Sample the craftsmanship and meet fifth generation wine maker Karl D. Wente of Wente Vineyards. Founded 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country's oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, www.wentevineyards.com.

Gelson’s Calabasas is conveniently located at the intersection of Mulholland Drive and Mulholland Highway, at 22277 Mulholland Highway, phone number (818) 906-6228.

-30-

Meet legendary Chef Wolfgang Puck at Gelson’s West Hollywood on Wednesday, January 18 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Wolfgang will be signing copies of his limited edition cookbook, “Wolfgang Puck Makes It Easy.” Books will be available for purchase on the day of the event.

Make plans to stop by Gelson’s West Hollywood and meet the one and only, esteemed Chef Wolfgang Puck! Gelson’s West Hollywood is located at 8330 West Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069.

-30-

Robert Stiles, President of Gelson’s Markets, has announced his retirement, effective January 4, 2012, after more than 51 years of service.

A San Fernando Valley native, Bob began his career with Gelson’s as a grocery clerk at the company’s Burbank location in 1960. He worked his way up to assistant manager, grocery manager and store director of the Tarzana and North Hollywood stores. Bob moved to the company’s corporate office to become the director of grocery merchandising, followed by a promotion to vice president of marketing. In 1996, Bob was appointed President of Gelson’s Markets.

As President of Gelson’s for the past 15 years, Bob is credited with solidifying Gelson’s superior reputation for quality, service and unique product selection. His influence is evident in Gelson’s expanded and extensive selection of organic and locally-grown foods; and the modern and environmentally-friendly design elements incorporated into each Gelson’s Market. Bob created award-winning spaces that welcome customers with soaring ceilings and skylights; and encouraged customers to relax in seating areas with fireplaces. He is also credited with leading the trend of providing disposable sanitizing wipes for shopping carts to reinforce Gelson’s emphasis on cleanliness, quality, service and selection.

Bob was instrumental in nearly doubling the Gelson’s scholarship fund and championed the company’s ongoing support of community schools, places of worship and charitable organizations. He served on the California Grocers Association board for six years before being elected chairman of the board for 2004-2005. In 2007, Bob was inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement. Bob was elected to the Unified Grocers board of directors in 1999, where he will continue to serve.

“Bob’s success was due to an open leadership style and keeping his finger on the pulse of customer needs and wants,” says Rob McDougall, Gelson’s incoming President. “We sincerely thank Bob for his dedication to our company and our industry and wish him health and happiness in his retirement, we will miss him.”

-30-

13th Annual Sherman Oaks Homeowner’s Association Holiday Toy Drive

Sunday, December 4

11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Gelson’s Sherman Oaks store: 4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Join your friends, family and neighbors at Gelson’s Market for free coffee and snacks when you drop off a new, unwrapped toy, as we once again put a smile on a child’s face.

The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is helping the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, by donating toys to some of the over 70,000 needy children in Los Angeles County, so that they may have a better holiday season.

Gift Suggestion List:

Infant to age 5: Stuffed animals, pull toys and building blocks (Lego, Duplo type)

Age 6 to 10: Dolls, trucks, action figures, play dough, puzzles and books

Age 11 to 13: Watch, radio, board and computer games, jewelry, music and books

Age 14 to 18: Gift certificates for music/video stores and handheld video games

-30-

(Encino, CA) Come to Gelson’s Market in Newport Beach on Saturday, October 22 from 12 PM to 4 PM for a Samplefest!

What is Samplefest? It’s free fun for everyone (come hungry!), including in-store food samples, an on-site barbecue from 12 PM to 2 PM and giveaways. Meet local vendors showcasing their products and sample some of the best items that Gelson’s carries.

The Gelson’s Market in Newport Beach is located at 1660 San Miguel Drive, with store hours daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. For more information about the store, please call (949) 644-8660.

Gelson’s celebrates 60 years of providing the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

(Encino, CA) It’s time for the 14th annual Gelson’s Spooky Village Halloween event! Everyone is invited to join the frightful fun on Saturday, October 29th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Join the merchants of Gelson’s Village Calabasas for this free community event featuring: safe trick-or-treating with candy and toys, food samples, face painting, prizes for best costumes, an arts and crafts workshop, live music, free photos and more!

Boo there or boo square…

Gelson’s Village Calabasas is located at 22277 Mulholland Highway, at the corner of Mulholland Highway and Mulholland Drive. For store details, please call Gelson’s Calabasas directly at (818) 906-6228.

Gelson’s celebrates 60 years of providing the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

Students in Grades K – 3 are welcome to visit their local Gelson’s Market to participate in a pumpkin guessing game. The winner for each store will be the student whose guess of the pumpkin weight comes closest to the actual weight without going over. Contest is open from Monday, October 10th to Sunday, October 23rd.

• All public, private, or home-schooled students in Grades K – 3 are eligible to participate. There is a limit of one entry per student and there is no fee to enter.

• All entries must have the name, grade level and school, along with the name of the parent-guardian and contact phone number-email address. Forms are available at each Gelson’s location.

• One winner per store will be chosen from all qualified entries and winners will be announced in November 2011. In the event of a tie, a drawing will determine the final winner.

• Winning prizes: $100 Gelson’s Gift Card to each winning student.

All entries must be received by Sunday, October 23rd, 2011. Submit entry form to front desk. Gelson’s West Hollywood location excluded. Gelson’s is not responsible for missing or misplaced entries. Gelson’s reserves all rights to modify rules and-or cancel contest.

The great pumpkin is not part of the prize. If you’re interested in purchasing the great pumpkin, please visit the store front desk to pay for and reserve the great pumpkin. Pumpkin will be available beginning Monday, October 24th, 2011.

Participating Gelson’s locations:

Calabasas: 22277 Mulholland Highway

Century City: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard

Dana Point: 24 Monarch Bay Plaza

Encino: 16450 Ventura Boulevard

Hollywood: 5877 Franklin Avenue

Irvine: 5521 Alton Parkway

Marina del Rey: 13455 Maxella Avenue

Newport Beach: 1660 San Miguel Drive

Northridge: 19500 Plummer Street

Pacific Palisades: 15424 Sunset Boulevard

Pasadena: 245 East Green Street

Santa Barbara: 3305 State Street

Sherman Oaks: 4520 Van Nuys Boulevard

Silverlake-Los Feliz: 2725 Hyperion Avenue

Tarzana: 5500 Reseda Boulevard

Valley Village-North Hollywood: 4738 Laurel Canyon Boulevard

Westlake Village: 2734 Townsgate Road.

-30-

(Encino, CA) Gelson’s is proud to announce the six winners of the 60th Anniversary Storytelling Contest!

David Tulanian, Beverley Anderson, Susan Johnson, Kathleen Laccinole, David Benezra and Lisa S. Chong are the lucky grand prize winners and they each will receive $500 in Gelson’s gift cards. Their personal stories about Gelson’s will be printed in a commemorative 60th anniversary newsletter, available in all Gelson’s locations the week of July 25, 2011.

A sincere THANK YOU to everyone who entered! We enjoyed reading each and every entry and were impressed by the quantity and the quality of the entries we received!

Gelson’s celebrates 60 years of providing the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

Gelson’s is turning 60! With six decades of providing Southern California with the premier shopping experience, that’s a lot of shoppers with a lot of Gelson’s history. We want to hear your Gelson’s tale! Your personal story about Gelson’s: about your favorite store or employee, your best shopping experience, a funny anecdote… share your greatest Gelson’s memory from back in 1951, from 1985 or from last week.

Winning entries will be published in the in-store commemorative 60th anniversary newsletter and six winners will receive $500 each in Gelson’s gift cards.

• Everyone 18 and over is eligible to participate. There is a limit of one entry per person and there is no fee or no purchase necessary to enter. Gelson’s employees and their families, affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible.

• Entries must be suitable for publication and for publicity purposes as determined by Gelson’s. All entries must be in good taste and must not contain obscene or defamatory statements. Gelson’s reserves the right to edit the submissions as needed for publication.

• Entries must be 1,000 words or less, in English, typed or handwritten legibly.

• All entries must include name and contact phone number or email address. Incomplete or illegible entries will not be eligible.

• Six winners will be chosen from all qualified entries. Winners will be announced and contacted in July 2011.

• Winning prizes: Each of the six winners will receive $500 in Gelson’s gift cards. Winning entries will be printed in the commemorative 60th anniversary newsletter. One prize per household or address.

** All entries must be received by June 30, 2011. **

Email entries to marketing@gelsons.com or mail to:

Gelson’s Marketing Department

60th Anniversary Contest

PO Box 1802

Encino, CA 91426-1802

All entries will become property of Gelson’s and will not be returned. Gelson’s is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected or otherwise undeliverable email or mail. Gelson’s reserves all rights to modify rules or cancel contest.

Please contact marketing@gelsons.com with any questions. Thank you and good luck!

-30-

(Encino, CA) Gelson’s is proud to announce the four winners of the third annual environmental drawing contest!

Emma Tay (Kindergarten) from Clairbourn School in San Gabriel; Mateo Quiles (Grade One) from St. John Eudes Catholic School in Chatsworth; Maya Lewandowski (Grade Two) from Hollister School in Santa Barbara and Maya Vaught (Grade Three) from Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles were the lucky grand prize winners! They each will receive $500 in Gelson’s gift cards and the winning artwork will be displayed inside a Gelson’s Market.

All public, private or home-schooled students grades K – 3 were invited to submit their interpretations of recycling, climate change, anything nature related, protecting the earth or other environmental themes. Drawings were judged based on best depiction of environmental message, creativity, originality and neatness.

Gelson’s celebrates 60 years of providing the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

(Encino, CA) Come to Gelson’s Market in Tarzana on Saturday, May 21 from 11 AM to 4 PM for a Samplefest!

What is Samplefest? It’s free fun for everyone (come hungry!), including in-store food samples, an on-site barbecue from 11 AM to 2 PM and giveaways. Meet local vendors showcasing their products and sample some of the best items that Gelson’s carries.

The Gelson’s Market in Tarzana is located at 5500 Reseda Boulevard, with store hours daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. For more information about the store, please call (818) 906-5752.

Gelson’s celebrates 60 years of providing the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

(Encino, CA) To bring more sustainable items to shoppers and to help reduce the impact on the natural environment, Gelson’s is making changes for grocery shopping to be more eco-friendly.

• A new in-store program just launched: look for “Earth Friendly” tags next to items that are better choices for sustainability, use of recycled packaging, and no use of toxic ingredients.

• Last year, Gelson’s started using Hippo-Sak, a sturdier plastic bag made of 30% recycled materials. Hippo-Saks have reduced plastic bag usage at Gelson’s by over 16%.

• Gelson’s distributes, free of charge, 15-20,000 reusable bags per year and sells another 30,000 reusable bags per year. Last year, cardboard picnic meal boxes were replaced with reusable picnic meal bags, saving over 2,500 boxes per year.

• Berries are sold in quart and pint containers made of corn kernel starch. Wolfgang Puck is packaging their Wolfgang Puck To Go foods in Bottle Boxes, where each container shows how many plastic bottles were recycled to create it. Brown paper “to go” boxes are in place at the self-serve hot bar.

• Over 100 pounds of cork (from wine bottles) collected at stores in Encino, Valley Village/North Hollywood, Century City, Tarzana, Newport Beach, Santa Barbara and Dana Point have been donated for recycling.

• The Irvine and Dana Point stores recently installed energy-efficient equipment: energy-saving LED lights in the frozen cases and energy-saving fans in the refrigerated/cold cases.

• A collection bin is located at an entrance/exit of every store for recycling plastic and paper shopping bags.

• To encourage awareness, local school children grades K - 3 are invited to submit their earth friendly art in the Third Annual Environmental Drawing Contest. Four winning artists will have their designs displayed in Gelson’s Markets and win $500 each in Gelson’s gift cards.

• Electronics recycling events are held at the Hollywood Gelson’s from 11am to 2pm on the second Saturday of every month. Hosted by California Recycles.

Next time you’re in a Gelson’s Market, take a moment to notice the eco-friendliness around you.

Since opening in 1951, Gelson’s has provided the premier shopping experience, with 18 Southern California locations.

-30-

Westfield Century City, known as the premiere destination in Los Angeles for the best in shopping, dining and entertainment, has partnered with Los Angeles magazine to host the first annual Taste of Westfield Century City. This event brings together the fantastic lineup of restaurants and a great cause.

What: Taste signature bites and beverage pairings from 8 of Westfield Century City’s restaurants.

When: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from 6pm – 9pm.

Where: Check in at the Gelson’s Wine & Cheese Lounge then make your way to Breadbar, Obika Mozzarella Bar, Giggles N hugs, Pink Taco, Toscanova, Houston’s, Gulfstream and RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen.

Stop in the Sony Social Lounge to see the latest products available at the newly opened Sony store.

Why: 100% of ticket sales will be donated to Food For All. Food For All is a program of the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger (FICAH), which is a voluntary effort of the food industry to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by fostering long-term, self-help solutions in the United States and around the world.

How: $25 advance purchase at Gelson’s or the Westfield Concierge $30 at the door on April 12.

For more information visit westfield.com/centurycity/offers/ or call 310-277-3898.

-30-