1 Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection Title

Cal State LA Special Collections & Archives

Federal Employees’ Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection

Title: Federal Employees’ Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection

Collection Number: 2017.001

Creator: Unknown

Dates: 1957-2000

Extent: 79.42 linear ft.

Repository: California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives

Location: Special Collections, Palmer, 4th floor Room 4048 - A, Map Case 1 Room 2079

Provenance: Unknown

Processing Information: Processed by Jourdan Pineda 2017.

Arrangement: The collection is organized into four Series: I. Achievements; II. Publications; III. Large Frames; IV. Photographic Materials. Three of the four series consist of subseries. Series I. Achievements is organized into three subseries: a. Plaques; b. Awards; c. Trophies; d. Certificates. Series II. Publications is organized into four subseries: a. Fedco Reporter; b. Sales Books; c. Fedco Documents; d. Gift Books. Series IV. Photographic Materials is organized into two subseries: a.Photographs; b. Negatives.

Copyright: The Federal Employees’ Distributing Company Collection is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred Citation: Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles

Historical/Biographical Note

The Federal Employees’ Distributing Company (FEDCO), was a non-profit organization department store which provided customers with a one stop shop experience. Based in Santa Fe Springs and opened in 1948, Fedco was

considered to be one of the most successful superstores of its time. The company was founded by 800 Los Angeles postal workers who sought relief from the post war economy. Fedco had 13 retail stores in Southern California, most of which were located in the Los Angeles area. Locations included Ontario, San Diego, San Bernardino, Costa Mesa, Cerritos, La Cienega, and Baldwin Hills. To gain access and purchase FEDCO’s merchandise, a membership was required. In just 5 years of operation Fedco acquired more than 50,000 members. Members received a subscription to the Fedco Reporter, special discounts of items, and FEDCO related news.

Through the 1980s and 1990s FEDCO could not compete with other superstores such as Walmart, Target, Kmart, Costco, Best Buy, and Macy’s. Limited only to the Southern California area surrounding Los Angeles, Fedco could not compete with its nationwide competitors resulting in the company to declare bankruptcy in 1999. The Dayton Hudson Corporation bought the company for $120 million and replaced the 13 Fedco retail buildings with Target.

Throughout FEDCO’s 50 years of operation they have won numerous awards from various corporations such as Duracell, Disney, and Kodak.

Scope and Content The materials for this collection were created from 1957-2000. This collection consists of photographs, publications, and achievements related to FEDCO and their partners. The bulk of this collection are trophies and awards. A series of the FEDCO reporter and sale books are also included within this collection. Lastly, documents pertaining to staff schedules and other FEDCO documentation.

Series Description

Series I: Achievements

Inclusive Dates: 1970-1999 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This large series consists of awards, trophies, and certificates from various companies. Sale milestones, partnerships, plaques, and employee of the month awards are included in this series. Sale milestones, partnerships, and certificates of appreciation are included in this series.

Series II: Publications

Inclusive Dates: 1957-1996 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series includes the FEDCO Reporter, sales books, and gift books. The FEDCO Reporter is a magazine for FEDCO members, which includes item descriptions, deals, and special events for customers. Throughout the year, FEDCO released sales books to members with various deals related to the season. During the holidays, FEDCO gave members gift books as a guide to buying presents and special deals.

Series III: Large Frames

Inclusive Dates: 1953-1984 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series consists of large framed artwork of Fedco locations and images of FEDCO buildings are included in this series. The First Fedco Reporter framed and included in this series. Items in this series are heavy, large, and wide.

Series IV: Photographic Materials

Inclusive Dates: U.D. Arrangement: Size

This series consists of two subseries: a.Photographs; b. Negatives photographs and negatives of FEDCO. The arrangement is based on photograph size. The photographs depict parking lots, shopping aisles (garden, hardware, electronics, toys, and food). Noteworthy, there are two photographs depicting the condition of the La Cienega Location after the LA riots. Photographs of other retail stores are included, such as Costco and Marshalls.

Container List

Box 1

Series 1: Achievements, 1970-1999

Subseries a: Plaques, 1936-1996

AC Delco Plaque, 1988

AC Delco Plaque, 1989

Aisles of Smiles Plaque, 1988

Aisles of Smiles Plaque, 1989

Amity Plaque, 1992

Brother Plaque, 1991

Campfire Plaque, 1993

Casio Plaque, 1996

Castrol Leadership Plaque, 1988

Century Member Plaque, u.d

Disney Toy Story, u.d.

Duracell Plaque, 1989

Duracell Plaque, 1990

Duracell Plaque, 1992

Box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1989

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1990

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1991

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1992

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - November 1993

Equal Award, 1994

Fantasia Plaque, u.d.

Fedco Golden Circle Club Plaque, u.d.

First Alert Plaque, 1970

GE Capital Plaque, 1992

Girl Scout Plaque, 1990

Girl Scouts Plaque, 1992

Gold Dustpan Plaque, 1989

Goodyear Plaque, u.d.

Gorilla Plaque, 1994

Box 3

Guardian Member Plaque, 1990

Guardian Member Plaque, 1993

Guardian Member Plaque, 1994

Guardian Member Plaque, u.d.

Hershey's Chocolate Plaque, u.d.

Johnson Johnson Plaque, 1978

KCET Plaque, u.d.

Kodak Plaque, 1992

Kodak Plaque, 1993

Lion King Plaque, u.d.

L’Oréal Plaque, 1994

M&M Mars Plaque, 1991

Box 4

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1992

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1993

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1994

Patron Member1 Plaque, 1984

Phone Mate, 1989

Phone Mate, 1991

Phone Mate, 1992

PhoneMate, 1990

PhoneMate, 1993

Playtex Apparel Plaque, 1989

Polaroid Award, 1989

Proudly We Hail Plaque, u.d.

Box 5

Raindrop Plaque, 1990

Santa Fe Springs 31nd Anniversary Parade Plaque, April 20, 1988

Santa Fe Springs 32nd Anniversary Parade Plaque, April 29, 1989

Santa Fe Springs Plaque, 1977

Sanyo Fisher Plaque, 1992

Sanyo Fisher Plaque 1993

Schick Razors Plaque, u.d.

Skil Corporation, December 31, 1936

Slick 50 Plaque, 1991

Soaring Dreams Plaque, January 22, 1993

Solidex Plaque, 1990

Solidex Plaque, 1991

Tylenol Scholarship Fund Plaque, 1992

United States Playing Card Company Plaque, 1994

Box 6

Whirlpool Home Appliances Plaque, u.d.

Whistler Plaque, January 2, 1992

Woodstream Corporation Plaque, 1994

Box 7

Subseries b: Awards, 1983-1998

Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences Award, 1988

Award Stand, u.d.

Big Hitter Award, 1990-1991

Box 8

Big Hitter Award, 1991-1992

Big Hitter Award, 1992-1993

Box 9

Case Logic Award, 1991

Case Logic Award, 1992

Box 10

CRW Top 100 Award, 1995

Dial Corporations Award, 1987

Dial Corporations Award, 1988

Duracell in Recognition of Outstanding Sales Performance, 1994

Eureka Company Award, January 1994

Box 11

Excellence Together Award, u.d.

Golden Kiwi Award, 1994

Golden Sock Award, 1992

Golden Sock Award, 1995

Golden Sock Award, 1998

Box 12

Golden Sock Award, 1998

Good Year Award, u.d.

Holder for Excellence Together Award, u.d.

Kem Tek Award, 1992

Kodak Award, 1993

Kwikset Award, u.d.

Laserline Award, 1993

Mortal Kombat Award, u.d.

Box 13

News Article Frame, May 21st

Nintendo Mario Award, 1993

Outstanding Performance Award, 1983

Paramount Interactive Award, 1994

Pulsar Award Fedco, u.d.

R.G Barry Corp Award, u.d.

Simple Green Award, 1989

Box 14

Subseries c: Certificates, 1987-1999

10 Years of Service, u.d.

20 Years of Service, u.d.

25 Years of Service, u.d.

American Legion Certificate, u.d.

American Red Cross Certificate, 1989

City of Los Angeles Document 19, May 6, 1993

National Council of Aging, March 12-18, 1989

Printing Industry of America, 1998

RR Donnelley and Sons Document, December 21, 1992

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, u.d.

Suave Plaque, 1987

United Way Certificate, 1998-1999

United Way Inc., 1998-1999

Box 15

Series II: Publications, 1957-2000

Subseries a: Fedco Reporter, 1959-1996

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1959

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1960

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1961

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1962

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1963

Box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1964

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1965

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1966

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1967

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1968

Box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1969

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1970

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1971

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1972

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1973

Box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1974

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1975

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1976

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1977

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1978

Box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1979

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1980

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1982

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1984

Box 20

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1985

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1986

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1987

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1988

Box 21

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1989

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1990

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1991

Box 22

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1992

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1993

Box 23

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1994

Fedco Sales Reporter. 1995

Fedco Sales Reporter 1996

Box 24

Subseries b: Sales Book, 1957-1999

24.1 48th Anniversary Sale, September 3-14, 1997

24.2 49th Anniversary Sale, September 16 – October 4, 1998

24.3 4th of July Sale, June 24- July 12, 1998

24.4 Amazing 88 Sale, April 15-28, 1998

24.5 Annual Fall Sale, October 1-19, 1997

24.6 April Sale, April 1958

24.7 August Sale, August 1958

24.8 August Sale, July 29 - August 16, 1998

24.9 Autumn Says, September 10-15, 1981

24.10 Autumn Harvest Values, October 15-31, 1997

24.11 Back to School, August 11-23, 1983

24.12 Back to School, August 1981

24.13 Back to School Sale, July 30 - August 17, 1997

24.14 Back to School Sale, August 8-20, 1985

24.15 Back to School Sale, July 31 – August 27, 1996

24.16 Back to School Sale, July 15 – August 2, 1998

24.17 Big June Sale, May 28- June 15, 1997

24.18 Big Savings, May 13 – 25, 1998

24.19 Big Summer Sale, June 25- July 13, 1997

24.20 Buyer’s Goof Days, April 30- May 18, 1997

24.21 Buyer's Goof Days, May 19 – 29, 1983

24.22 Buyer’s Goof Days, May 18-29, 1988

24.23 Buyer’s Goof Days. May 14-23, 1981

24.24 Buyer’s Goof Days, April 29-May 17, 1998

24.25 Buyer’s Goof Sale, April 28 – May 16, 1999

24.26 Cerritos Grand Opening, November 4 – 29, 1998

24.27 Christmas Fedco, December 1957

24.28 Christmas, December 198

24.29 Colorful Deals, March 17 – April 4, 199

24.30 December Sale, December 1958

24.31 Do it Yourself Days, February 5-10, 1981

24.32 Do it Yourself Days, February 3-8, 1983

24.33 Easter Sale, March 19-29, 1997

24.34 Easter Sale, April 1-19, 1998

24.35 End of Summer Sale, September 17 – 28, 1997

24.36 Extra Values Days, April 16 – 27, 1997

24.37 Fall Expo, September 8-20, 1983

24.38 Father’s Day Sale, June 10 – 28, 1998

24.39 Father’s Day Sale, June 9 – 27, 1999

24.40 February Sale, January 29 – February 16, 1997

24.41 February Sale, January 28-February 15, 1998

24.42 February Sale, February 11-25, 1998

24.43 Fedco Extra Sale, May 15 – 27, 1996

24.44 Great American Value Days, July 7-19, 1983

24.45 Green Tag Sale, January 8-13, 1981

24.46 Green Tag Sale, January 2 – 26, 1997

24.47 Green Tag Sale, January 1-25, 1998

24.48 Green Tag Sale Days, December 26 – January 10, 1999

24.49 Halloween Sale, October 14 – November 1, 1998

24.50 Happy Easter, April 1981

24.51 Happy Easter, March 1983

24.52 Harvest Sale, November 4 – 29, 1998

24.53 Holiday Sale, December 9 – 29, 1998

24.54 Holiday Super Sale, December 11- 24, 1996

24.55 Holiday Super Sale, December 10 – 24, 1997

Box 25

25.1 Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 15-29, 1997

25.2 Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 14 – 28, 1998

25.3 Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 13-31, 1999

25.4 It’s Springtime, April 8-21, 1987

25.5 July Sale, July 1958

25.6 June Sale, June 1958

25.7 Labor Day Sale, September 2 – 20, 1998

25.8 March Sale, March 1958

25.9 March Madness Prices, February 24 – March 14, 1999

25.10 May Sale, May 1958

25.11 Memorial Day Sale, May 14-26, 1997

25.12 Memorial Day Sale, May 22- June 14, 1998

25.13 Memorial Day Sale, May 26- June 13, 1999

25.14 Mid-Summer Madness Sale, August 12-30, 1998

25.15 More Bang for your Buck Sale, February 12-28, 1997

25.16 More for your Money, July 16- 27, 1997

25.17 More for your Money, August 13 – 31, 1997

25.18 More than 101 Ways to Save, April 2-20, 1997

25.19 New Year Sale, January 1958

25.20 November Sale, November 1958

25.21 October FSD, October 1958

25.22 Preseason Sale, November 5 – 24, 1997

25.23 Presidents’ Sale, February 10-28, 1999

25.24 Record Breaking Fall Savings, September 30-October 18 1998

25.25 Sale Price Event, April 14 – May 2, 1999

25.26 September Sale, September 1958

25.27 Spectacular Spring Savings, February 25 – March 16, 1998

25.28 Spring Sale, February 26- March 16, 1998

25.29 Spring Sale, March 1 – 21 1995

25.30 Spring Savings, May 12 – 30 1999

25.31 Spring Spectacular, March 5-10, 1981

25.32 Spring Spectacular, April 1983

25.33 Super Sale, June 11 – 22 1997

25.34 Super Storewide Sale, March 18 – 28, 1998

25.35 Tax Time Relief Super Savings, March 31 – April 18, 1999

25.36 Toy Fair, October 8-18, 1983

25.37 Vacation America, June 10 – 23, 1987

25.38 Vacation Jubilee, June 4-9, 1981

25.39 Vacation Jubilee, June 9-21, 1983

25.40 Valentine Sale, February 1958

25.41 Valentine’s Day Sale, January 27- February 14, 1999

25.42 Welcome to Toy Fair, October 1980

25.43 Welcome to Toy Fair, October 1981

25.44 Western Roundup, July 9-14, 1981

Box 26

Subseries c: Fedco Documents, 1979-2000

26.1 Fedco Closing Articles, 1999-2000

26.2 Fedco Documents, 1979

26.3 Fedco Documents, 1989

26.4 Fedco Documents, 1990-1993

26.5 Fedco Documents, 1991

26.6 Fedco Documents, 1991-1992

26.7 Fedco Documents, 1994-1995

26.8 Fedco Documents, 1995

26.9 Fedco Documents, 1998

Subseries d: Gift Books, 1981-1998

26.10 Fedco Gift Book, November 1983

26.11 Fedco Gift Book, November

26.12 Fedco Gift Book, November 1987

26.13 Fedco Gift Guide, December 1997

26.14 Fedco Gift Guide, November-December, 1998

26.15 Season’s Greetings, December 1981

26.16 'Tis the Season, November 1985

26.17 Traditional Tidings, November 1986

Map Case 1 Drawer 1

Series III: Large Frames, 1953-1984

Fedco, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 2

Fedco Baldwin Hills Disasters, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 3

Fedco Central, January 1961

Map Case 1 Drawer 4

Fedco Cerritos, October 8, 1970

Map Case 1 Drawer 5

Fedco Cerritos, Costa Mesa, Santa Barbara, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 6

Fedco Costa Mesa, June 14, 1973

Map Case 1 Drawer 7

Fedco La Cienega, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 8

Fedco National City Grand Opening, April 5, 1984

Fedco Offices, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 9

Fedco San Bernardino, December 1955

Map Case 1 Drawer 10

Fedco San Bernardino, October 1968

Map Case 1 Drawer 11

Fedco Warehouse, u.d.

Map Case 1 Drawer 12

First Fedco Reporter Frame, 1953

Map Case 1

Fedco National City, u.d.

Fedco Ontario, u.d.

Fedco San Diego, October 31, 1957

Box 27

Series VI: Photographic Materials u.d.

Subseries a: Photographs

27.1 4x4 Photographs, u.d.

27.2 5x3.5 Photographs, u.d.

27.3 5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

27.4 5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

27.5 5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

27.6 10x8 Photographs, u.d.

Box 28

Subseries b: Negatives

28.1 Negatives, u.d.