After I got out of the service I worked for Fred Meyer for a short time selling auto parts. They had an employee package that had the history of the company. It stated they started out as a Mom and Pop store in Portland. Can't remember the year they started the small store. At the time I worked there they were only in Oregon. Guess they've gown some in 30 years I wanted to go to Alaska years ago to weld on the pipeline but my wife at the time wouldn't have it. I'm in Florida now. To old for Alaska's weather