Growing Up With G.I. Joe's

How did Ed Orkney build a large retail chain from a small war surplus store named G.I. Joe's, housed in a G.I. hospital tent? Ed's daughter, Janna, recounts the history of this favorite Northwest store in a classic "rags to riches" story. From Ed flying bombers in World War II, to selling war surplus bayonets and canteens, to creating a beloved general retail chain - it is all in the book. And the G.I. Joe's story continues with the expansion over 57 years to become the largest Northwest sporting goods store chain by 2000. G.I. Joe's growth continued to 31 stores with 2 sales of the business and finally, its bankruptcy in 2009 under the new name Joe's Sports, Outdoor and More. In addition, while the G.I. Joe's store is central to the book, Janna tells of her own growing up in mid-20th century Portland, Oregon, including the impact of the Columbia River's destructive Vanport Flood of 1948. Janna Orkney describes her book as a love letter to a store, to the land and people of the Pacific Northwest, and a tribute to America as the land of opportunity.