Page 3 - PGA Community News - March '21

March 2021 March 2021 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3

From The Editor:

An Extraordinary Life…

An extraordinary life allowed them to purchase merchandise on a periodic granddaughter, Debbie Schaeffer, who brought a new
began when Bea was born payment plan. She was a pioneer in installment purchases. perspective to the business with her degree in engineering.
in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She extended credit on a personal level without financial She has the expertise to work with homeowners, builders
Unfortunately, a short time statements or credit applications. There were no credit and contractors to design kitchens. 86 years later, Mrs. G’s
thereafter, the Spanish flu checks or employment verifications. There was no is operating in a new location with a 20,000 square foot
traveled across the globe, promissory note or collateral. Bea really knew these people state of the art showroom. Three generations of women
and her mother died when because she took the time to listen to them. She knew have operated the business. Barbara and Debbie saw Bea’s
Bea was 5 years old. That what was happening in their lives. Trenton was a diverse vision and embraced it. Not only the business vision but
tragedy left an impression community with multiple ethnicities and races. She offered also the priority of the needs of the community. Small
on Bea that gave her the assistance to everyone who needed it. businesses offer so much more than the larger chains
impetus to be the mother One night in 1972 after the business closed, a natural are able to provide – especially product knowledge and
for countless other persons gas explosion destroyed their retail business location and customer service. Debbie has adopted the slogan, “Life.
(figuratively). She developed an instinct to nurture others all the merchandise inside. Fortunately, no one was injured. Better.” That is exactly what her grandmother, Bea,
and an inner strength to succeed. Bea called her suppliers and they told her they would send provided to innumerable persons. In fact, people still come
After marrying Abe Greenberg, Bea gave birth to their her whatever inventory she needed. Bea took the initiative to the showroom and reminisce with Debbie how Mrs. G
daughter, Barbara. In 1935, Bea and Abe began a plumbing to begin retail sales from their warehouse. It was the first touched their lives. Bea is an inspiration to all of us. We
supply business in Trenton, New Jersey called New Jersey “big-box” store concept in that region. Another tragedy can only hope that someday someone will write about us
Plumbing. After World War II, they diversified their in Bea’s life prompted a new direction. It also resulted in beginning with the words, An extraordinary life began…
business to television and appliance sales. It was the post- her daughter, Barbara’s eventual search for a new location Until next month…
war boom in America and their small business was very for the retail operation. Barbara had the foresight to James A. Cioffi, Editor,
successful. Bea had a vision of a cooperative among local understand that the convergence of some new roads would james@jcclaw.com
dealers so that they could combine their buying power. create traffic to support a business district. They invested P.S. If you know of an extraordinary person, who you
Her vision became a reality and Bea led an active role in in a commercial property and soon automobile dealers, feel should be featured by us, please contact me.
the organization. There were few women who played a gas stations, restaurants and other businesses followed.
major role in the appliance retail industry. Bea, along with The Diocese of Trenton created Catholic Charities in
her daughter, Barbara, were two strong women in a field 1913. It is a nonprofit organization which offers mental
dominated by men. To this day, the cooperative has the health, poverty reduction and social and crisis services
buying power of multi-billions of dollars of merchandise. to people impacted by tragedy and adversity. It offers
Bea was at the store every day. She would greet the help to local residents without questioning their religious
customers with a big smile and get to know them on a beliefs. Bea, as an integral part of the Trenton community, Reminder From
personal basis. Abe and Bea realized that she was the joined forces with a Monsignor and nun to help alleviate
face of the business and after careful study, they changed the results of crises to the local citizenry. Over the years,
the name of the business to Mrs. G’s Television and Bea donated truckloads of appliances and electronics to The POA/ARC
Appliances. They even developed a caricature of Bea for lessen the burden of those experiencing trauma. Bea could
the logo. Most people referred to her as Mrs. G. identify with their loss and her heart was open to them.
When Bea asked her customers how they were, she Bea received accolades for her philanthropic efforts. POA documents require that all residents
sincerely wanted to know what was happening in their Until the age of 95, Bea greeted the customers every apply for POA and HOA approval prior
lives. When they developed financial challenges, Bea day. Management transitioned in the year 2000 to her to making any changes to the exterior of
your home, including but not limited to
tree removal or planting, new landscaping,
painting, roofing, additions or construction,
fencing, hurricane shutters, impact glass, play
equipment, garage door replacement or any
other change, you must contact the PGA POA
Architectural Review Committee for approval.
Information and forms are available at www.
pga-poa.com under the “Documents & Forms”
heading or call 627-2800.
Thank you,
Jack Hughes,
Chairman, POA ARC

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