ernard and Eugene Gelson began working in the grocery business as children, helping in their father's grocery store in Iowa. As adults, the grocery business became their vocation, and the two brothers developed a vision of what they believed the business of bringing quality goods to the public should ultimately be: a shopping experience that would bring customers back again and again.

The Gelson brothers eventually moved to California, and after World War II, they made their vision a reality by opening the first Gelson's Market in Burbank in 1951. Their advertisement announcing the grand opening of Gelson's promised customers the best quality products and services that a store could provide.

In fact, Gelson's superb quality, exceptional cleanliness, and superior customer service have never been matched by another supermarket chain in Southern California. Amenities such as on-site chefs, fresh restaurant-quality foods, fresh seafood, picture-perfect produce, a wide selection of grocery items, and even a proprietary charge card make Gelson's one of the premier supermarket chains in Southern California.

Known for having knowledgeable and friendly associates, each department member is available to help customers make a selection or offer advice. In the Produce Department, buyers are skilled at securing exotic and hard-to-find specialty items. In our Meat Department, every Gelson's meat cutter provides personalized service by hand-cutting meats, filling on-the-spot requests, and providing cooking tips and recipe ideas.

"Our store employees are the key ingredient to Gelson's quality," remarks Bob Stiles, president of Gelson's Markets. "Customers tell us that in addition to our fine products, it is our staff's sensitivity to customer needs that makes shopping at Gelson's so desirable."