That was a great read, Jack. Thanks for the link!
I have to say though, I was kind-of surprised when they dropped "G.I." from the name. It seemed like they were trying to separate the store from its history, or distance themselves from the currently unpopular war, or the military in general.

Thanks, Jack - what a treasure and a great read. A real bit of local history. Started reading and didn't quit until I'd read all the parts. Went good with a cup of coffee this morning.

Thanks, Jack! I appreciate you posting the history I wrote, www.GrowingUpWithGIJoes.com, on Bojack.
Just a hint to click on all the chapters at the right of the page, Part I through Part V, in order to read the full story.
Enjoy!
Janna Orkney

Great story.

I remember the smell of fabric and wood preservatives. It was staggering to a newcomer.

Olive Drab wasn't Green.

Try to open that store today and the DEQ would shut it down in a flash, close the schools within a five mile radius and on top of that you would pay $3 million for toxic waste disposal.

But then, you could always bring a $6 million lawsuit against the Army for selling you the stuff, make a $3 million profit and just claim you disposed of it.

I have fond memories of the old Andy and Bax as well. Got all my caving equipment there including a seemingly endless succession of coveralls as they were progressively eaten up by crawling through lava tubes.

I remember going to the store on Vancouver when I was a very little kid. It wasn't the hospital tent, but the clapboard storefront. I think my mom wanted to get cheap cigarettes and my dad, who was a vet, wanted to look at the surplus stuff.

It certainly wasn't anything like G.I. Joe's now. More like Andy & Bax, only as I recall, a lot bigger.

I was one of those kids that got to go with their dad to G.I. Joes on Saturdays. I remember wanting dad to buy everything so we could play soldier. I know that business models change over the years, but one thing will never change. I will always call it G.I. Joes and not just Joes.