CARLSBAD, Calif. — Walmart is well known for their door greeters but a grocery store in La Costa is where three seniors are taking things to the next level.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Carlsbad to meet the Gelson Girls.
In 1951, the very first Gelson's was opened by two brothers, yet all these years later, everyone's talking about the Gelson Girls. "Well, hello there, welcome to Gelson's," said 85-year-old Rickie. "Hi. I'm a Gelson Girl."
Welcome to 'Happiest Happy Hour' you've ever seen.
There may be 28 Gelson's Markets, but there's only one pack of Gelson Girls. "There's Judy and Debbie," said Rickie while greeting more customers into the La Costa grocery store and wine bar. A few years ago, three friends, Michele, Nancy and Rickie bellied up to the bar. "This is the first wine bar I've ever seen in a grocery store," I said. "Well, you are missing out, you are missing out," said Lea Powell who used to be the wine bar bartender and is now an honorary Gelson Girl. "These guys were always here; they were always here. They were my regulars," said Lea.
"She said these guys can really drink," laughed Rickie. Sure, they drink, but they are also merry. "Nancy is that a chip clip in your hair?" I asked. Nancy replied with a big smile, "Yes, it is." It's worth mentioning, Gelson's has plenty of groceries, but all of the action is over the wine bar. Most of the patrons live at La Costa Glen Retirement Community. "They come on a shuttle," said Mario Artiglio. He is Gelson's Markets liquor manager. He says seniors love what's called their 'Sip and Shop'. "They sit at the bar, they are allowed to drink while we do the shopping for them," said Mario.
The seniors may come for the wine, but they stay for the food. "Lobster rolls," said Michele. The Gelson Girls want to get their claws in you and are always looking for new members. "If they want a T-shirt, they need to go to Michael's and pay three dollars for it," said Nancy. Once you get a T-shirt, you're just a 'Gelson Girls Greeting' away from the joining the club. "Give me a G. Give me an E. Give me an L, give me an S. Give me an O," said the Gelson Girls before the chant fizzled.
They're not paid, they have no rehearsals, but boy they do they know how to pour it on at a wine bar one chip clip at a time. The wine bar hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 1-8 pm at the La Costa location of Gelson's Markets. If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Gelson Girl or the grocery market's history, click here.