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In the past several years the Copper Basin area has celebrated Hayden and Winkelman’s 100 years and 50 for Kearny. As we continue to celebrate our heritage did you know that there are four businesses that have been here 50-100 years under the same family management?
They have survived two World Wars, Korean, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars, numerous strikes and layoffs and still kept their businesses running along with the hardships of their customers.
Last week, these four businesses were honored for their longevity.
In 1911 the first generation of Giorsettis arrived in Winkelman from Italy setting up a bakery and door-to-door delivery of those products. They raised their family at that same location expanding their business to a General store. Provino and Ruby Jean carried on the family tradition. At Giorsetti’s you could find clothing, boots, dry goods. Houseware, groceries and meat cut to your specification. Anything you wanted it was there. Third generation Giorsettis still run the store and are an asset to the local area.
Raul Mendoza would not think of retiring. He was born and raised in the Copper Basin area, his parents owned a local ranch and his brother ran the Hayden Drug store. He loves the area where he lives and works. Raul was bombardier in World War 2, came home and opened the Hayden Home Supply which was located on Main Street, Hayden. The building still stands and was later Gila Furniture. He is presently located in the building that was originally the Hayden Elementary and later Griffith Mortuary. He is known for his advertising technique, “Going Out of Business.” His wife Sophie, family and friends were there as he received his plaque.
In 1958 the Slotter family moved to Winkelman and settled on acreage a couple miles across the Gila on the Old Tucson Highway. They opened Palo Verde RV Park which was always busy especially during the building of ASARCO’s smelter and smoke stack. Mrs. Slotter who is in her 90s ran the trailer park all those years and has turned the Park over to her son Tom and Rose. Rose accepted the plaque on behalf of the Slotter family at Palo Verde Park.
Lorna Bowen was tired of struggling through strikes and layoffs and wanted a backup in order to provide for her family. The first venture was Big Jim’s Drive In on Highway 177. After success at that they opened the Hamburger King in Superior. Lorna decorated the restaurant with bees and thus the name Buzzy’s which carried over to their famous establishment in Kearny. Lorna insists on using the same recipes and not deviating from the original which has made the place every ones favorite. Just ask those who come home to visit and have to get their Buzzy’s fix. Over the past 60 years many kids in all three towns say their first job was with the Bowens, as well as the Bowen’s children and grandchildren. Grandson Dennis Warner is now manager.
A legacy of hard work, endurance through good times and bad times, and love for their community has made these four businesses prosper. Martin Burnum and Nancy Hinojos produced a video with old pictures and great music as a tribute. They will be available on YouTube and Chamber Facebook page soon. The Dunn and Misita families provided the GKI for this event. Look for more businesses to be honored.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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