Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection MS.2017.001

Jourdan Pineda
Special Collections and Archives
2017


Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives
Title: Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2017.001
Physical Description: 79.42 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1957-2000
Abstract: 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 Cienga, 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.
Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Use

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

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.

Biographical / Historical

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 Contents

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 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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Los Angeles (Calif.)
California

 

Achievements Series I 1970-1999

 

Plaques, 1936-1996 Subseries a

box 1

AC Delco Plaque, 1988

box 1

AC Delco Plaque, 1989

box 1

Aisles of Smiles Plaque, 1988

box 1

Aisles of Smiles Plaque, 1989

box 1

Amity Plaque, 1992

box 1

Brother Plaque, 1991

box 1

Brother Plaque, 1991

box 1

Campfire Plaque, 1993

box 1

Casio Plaque, 1996

box 1

Castrol Leadership Plaque, 1988

box 1

Century Member Plaque, u.d

box 1

Disney Toy Story, u.d.

box 1

Duracell Plaque, 1989

box 1

Duracell Plaque, 1990

box 1

Duracell Plaque, 1992

box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1989

box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1990

box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1991

box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - December 1992

box 2

Employee of the Month Plaque, January - November 1993

box 2

Equal Award, 1994

box 2

Fantasia Plaque, u.d.

box 2

Fedco Golden Circle Club Plaque, u.d.

box 2

First Alert Plaque, 1970

box 2

GE Capital Plaque, 1992

box 2

Girl Scout Plaque, 1990

box 2

Girl Scouts Plaque, 1992

box 2

Gold Dustpan Plaque, 1989

box 2

Goodyear Plaque, u.d.

box 2

Gorilla Plaque, 1994

box 3

Guardian Member Plaque, 1990

box 3

Guardian Member Plaque, 1993

box 3

Guardian Member Plaque, 1994

box 3

Guardian Member Plaque, u.d.

box 3

Hershey's Chocolate Plaque, u.d.

box 3

Johnson Johnson Plaque, 1978

box 3

KCET Plaque, u.d.

box 3

Kodak Plaque, 1992

box 3

Kodak Plaque, 1993

box 3

Lion King Plaque, u.d.

box 3

L'Oréal Plaque, 1994

box 3

M&M Mars Plaque, 1991

box 4

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1992

box 4

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1993

box 4

Olympus Partnership Plaque, 1994

box 4

Patron Member1 Plaque, 1984

box 4

Phone Mate, 1989

box 4

Phone Mate, 1991

box 4

Phone Mate, 1992

box 4

PhoneMate, 1990

box 4

PhoneMate, 1993

box 4

Playtex Apparel Plaque, 1989

box 4

Polaroid Award, 1989

box 4

Proudly We Hail Plaque, u.d.

box 5

Raindrop Plaque, 1990

box 5

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

box 5

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

box 5

Santa Fe Springs Plaque, 1977

box 5

Sanyo Fisher Plaque, 1992

box 5

Sanyo Fisher Plaque 1993

box 5

Schick Razors Plaque, u.d.

box 5

Schick Razors Plaque, u.d.

box 5

Skil Corporation, December 31, 1936

box 5

Slick 50 Plaque, 1991

box 5

Soaring Dreams Plaque, January 22, 1993

box 5

Solidex Plaque, 1990

box 5

Solidex Plaque, 1991

box 5

Tylenol Scholarship Fund Plaque, 1992

box 5

United States Playing Card Company Plaque, 1994

box 6

Whirlpool Home Appliances Plaque, u.d.

box 6

Whistler Plaque, January 2, 1992

box 6

Woodstream Corporation Plaque, 1994

 

Awards, 1983-1998 Subseries b

box 7

Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences Award, 1988

box 7

Award Stand, u.d.

box 7

Big Hitter Award, 1990-1991

box 8

Big Hitter Award, 1991-1992

box 8

Big Hitter Award, 1992-1993

box 9

Case Logic Award, 1991

box 9

Case Logic Award, 1992

box 10

CRW Top 100 Award, 1995

box 10

Dial Corporations Award, 1987

box 10

Dial Corporations Award, 1988

box 10

Duracell in Recognition of Outstanding Sales Performance, 1994

box 10

Eureka Company Award, January 1994

box 11

Excellence Together Award, u.d.

box 11

Golden Kiwi Award, 1994

box 11

Golden Sock Award, 1992

box 11

Golden Sock Award, 1995

box 11

Golden Sock Award, 1998

box 12

Golden Sock Award, 1998

box 12

Good Year Award, u.d.

box 12

Good Year Award, u.d.

box 12

Good Year Award, u.d.

box 12

Holder for Excellence Together Award, u.d.

box 12

Kem Tek Award, 1992

box 12

Kodak Award, 1993

box 12

Kwikset Award, u.d.

box 12

Laserline Award, 1993

box 12

Mortal Kombat Award, u.d.

box 13

News Article Frame, May 21st

box 13

Nintendo Mario Award, 1993

box 13

Outstanding Performance Award, 1983

box 13

Paramount Interactive Award, 1994

box 13

Pulsar AwardFedco, u.d.

box 13

R.G Barry Corp Award, u.d.

box 13

Simple Green Award, 1989

 

Certificates, 1987-1999 Subseries c

box 14

10 Years of Service, u.d.

box 14

20 Years of Service, u.d.

box 14

25 Years of Service, u.d.

box 14

American Legion Certificate, u.d.

box 14

American Red Cross Certificate, 1989

box 14

City of Los Angeles Document 19, May 6, 1993

box 14

National Council of Aging, March 12-18, 1989

box 14

Printing Industry of America, 1998

box 14

RR Donnelley and Sons Document, December 21, 1992

box 14

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, u.d.

box 14

Suave Plaque, 1987

box 14

United Way Certificate, 1998-1999

box 14

United Way Inc., 1998-1999

 

Publications Series II 1957-1996

 

Fedco Reporter, 1959-1996 Subseries a

box 15

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1959

box 15

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1960

box 15

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1961

box 15

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1962

box 15

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1963

box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1964

box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1965

box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1966

box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1967

box 16

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1968

box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1969

box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1970

box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1971

box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1972

box 17

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1973

box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1974

box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1975

box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1976

box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1977

box 18

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1978

box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1979

box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1980

box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1982

box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1984

box 19

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1984

box 20

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1985

box 20

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1986

box 20

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1987

box 20

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1988

box 21

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1989

box 21

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1990

box 21

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1991

box 21

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1991

box 22

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1992

box 22

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1992

box 22

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1993

box 22

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1993

box 23

Fedco Sales Reporter, 1994

box 23

Fedco Sales Reporter. 1995

box 23

Fedco Sales Reporter 1996

 

Sales Book, 1957-1999 Subseries b

box 24

48th Anniversary Sale, September 3-14, 1997

box 24

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

box 24

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

box 24

Amazing 88 Sale, April 15-28, 1998

box 24

Annual Fall Sale, October 1-19, 1997

box 24

April Sale, April 1958

box 24

August Sale, August 1958

box 24

August Sale, July 29 - August 16, 1998

box 24

Autumn Says, September 10-15, 1981

box 24

Autumn Harvest Values, October 15-31, 1997

box 24

Back to School, August 11-23, 1983

box 24

Back to School, August 1981

box 24

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

box 24

Back to School Sale, August 8-20, 1985

box 24

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

box 24

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

box 24

Big June Sale, May 28- June 15, 1997

box 24

Buyer's Goof Days, April 30- May 18, 1997

box 24

Buyer's Goof Days, May 19 – 29, 1983

box 24

Buyer's Goof Days, May 18-29, 1988

box 24

Buyer's Goof Days. May 14-23, 1981

box 24

Buyer's Goof Days, April 29-May 17, 1998

box 24

Buyer's Goof Sale, April 28 – May 16, 1999

box 24

Cerritos Grand Opening, November 4 – 29, 1998

box 24

Christmas Fedco, December 1957

box 24

Christmas, December 198

box 24

Colorful Deals, March 17 – April 4, 199

box 24

December Sale, December 1958

box 24

Do it Yourself Days, February 5-10, 1981

box 24

Do it Yourself Days, February 3-8, 1983

box 24

Easter Sale, March 19-29, 1997

box 24

Easter Sale, April 1-19, 1998

box 24

End of Summer Sale, September 17 – 28, 1997

box 24

Extra Values Days, April 16 – 27, 1997

box 24

Fall Expo, September 8-20, 1983

box 24

Father's Day Sale, June 10 – 28, 1998

box 24

Father's Day Sale, June 9 – 27, 1999

box 24

February Sale, January 29 – February 16, 1997

box 24

February Sale, January 28-February 15, 1998

box 24

February Sale, February 11-25, 1998

box 24

Fedco Extra Sale, May 15 – 27, 1996

box 24

Great American Value Days, July 7-19, 1983

box 24

Green Tag Sale, January 8-13, 1981

box 24

Green Tag Sale, January 2 – 26, 1997

box 24

Green Tag Sale, January 1-25, 1998

box 24

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

box 24

Halloween Sale, October 14 – November 1, 1998

box 24

Happy Easter, April 1981

box 24

Happy Easter, March 1983

box 24

Harvest Sale, November 4 – 29, 1998

box 24

Holiday Sale, December 9 – 29, 1998

box 24

Holiday Super Sale, December 11- 24, 1996

box 24

Holiday Super Sale, December 10 – 24, 1997

box 25

Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 15-29, 1997

box 25

Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 14 – 28, 1998

box 25

Inventory and Clearance Sale, January 13-31, 1999

box 25

It's Springtime, April 8-21, 1987

box 25

July Sale, July 1958

box 25

June Sale, June 1958

box 25

Labor Day Sale, September 2 – 20, 1998

box 25

March Sale, March 1958

box 25

March Madness Prices, February 24 – March 14, 1999

box 25

May Sale, May 1958

box 25

Memorial Day Sale, May 14-26, 1997

box 25

Memorial Day Sale, May 22- June 14, 1998

box 25

Memorial Day Sale, May 26- June 13, 1999

box 25

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

box 25

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

box 25

More for your Money, July 16- 27, 1997

box 25

More for your Money, August 13 – 31, 1997

box 25

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

box 25

New Year Sale, January 1958

box 25

November Sale, November 1958

box 25

October FSD, October 1958

box 25

Preseason Sale, November 5 – 24, 1997

box 25

Presidents' Sale, February 10-28, 1999

box 25

Record Breaking Fall Savings, September 30-October 18 1998

box 25

Sale Price Event, April 14 – May 2, 1999

box 25

September Sale, September 1958

box 25

Spectacular Spring Savings, February 25 – March 16, 1998

box 25

Spring Sale, February 26- March 16, 1998

box 25

Spring Sale, March 1 – 21 1995

box 25

Spring Savings, May 12 – 30 1999

box 25

Spring Spectacular, March 5-10, 1981

box 25

Spring Spectacular, April 1983

box 25

Super Sale, June 11 – 22 1997

box 25

Super Storewide Sale, March 18 – 28, 1998

box 25

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

box 25

Toy Fair, October 8-18, 1983

box 25

Vacation America, June 10 – 23, 1987

box 25

Vacation Jubilee, June 4-9, 1981

box 25

Vacation Jubilee, June 9-21, 1983

box 25

Valentine Sale, February 1958

box 25

Valentine's Day Sale, January 27- February 14, 1999

box 25

Welcome to Toy Fair, October 1980

box 25

Welcome to Toy Fair, October 1981

box 25

Western Roundup, July 9-14, 1981

 

Fedco Documents, 1979-2000 Subseries c

box 26

Fedco Closing Articles, 1999-2000

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1979

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1989

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1990-1993

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1991

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1991-1992

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1994-1995

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1995

box 26

Fedco Documents, 1998

 

Gift Books, 1981-1998 Subseries d

box 26

Fedco Gift Book, November 1983

box 26

Fedco Gift Book, November

box 26

Fedco Gift Book, November 1987

box 26

Fedco Gift Guide, December 1997

box 26

Fedco Gift Guide, November-December, 1998

box 26

Season's Greetings, December 1981

box 26

'Tis the Season, November 1985

box 26

Traditional Tidings, November 1986

 

Large Frames Series III 1953-1984

case 1; Drawer 1

Fedco, u.d.

case 1; Drawer 1

Fedco, u.d.

case 1; Drawer 2

Fedco Baldwin Hills Disasters, u.d.

case 1; Drawer 3

Fedco Central, January 1961

case 1; Drawer 4

Fedco Cerritos, October 8, 1970

case 1; Drawer 5

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

case 1; Drawer 6

Fedco Costa Mesa, June 14, 1973

case 1; Drawer 7

Fedco La Cienega, u.d.

case 1; Drawer 8

Fedco National City Grand Opening, April 5, 1984

case 1; Drawer 8

Fedco Offices, u.d.

case 1; Drawer 9

Fedco San Bernardino, December 1955

case 1; Drawer 10

Fedco San Bernardino, October 1968

case 1; Drawer 11

Fedco Warehouse, u.d.

box 1; Drawer 12

FirstFedco Reporter Frame, 1953

case 1

Fedco National City, u.d.

case 1

Fedco Ontario, u.d.

case 1

Fedco San Diego, October 31, 1957

 

Photographic Materials u.d. Series IV

 

Photographs Subseries a

box 27

4x4 Photographs, u.d.

box 27

5x3.5 Photographs, u.d.

box 27

5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

box 27

5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

box 27

5.75x4 Photographs, u.d.

box 27

10x8 Photographs, u.d.

 

Negatives Subseries b

box 28

Negatives, u.d.