Fred's Market (San Clemente, California)

USA / California / San Clemente / San Clemente, California / S Ola Vista, 220
 minimarket, liquor store
220 S Ola Vista
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-5465

In 1959, Fred Gunning moved to San Clemente to open a liquor store. Over the decades, Fred’s Liquor evolved into Fred’s Market, a fixture downtown – just like Fred. When he turned 75 in 1982, he still worked seven days a week at his store. After he finally decided to take it easy, he would still show up at the store to sit in his favorite chair and hold court with customers. In a 2007 interview, Gunning said he got to be so well-known around town that he could be walking on the beach in the dark and a random voice would call out to him. "They even know my voice," he said. As he turned 100, he was asked whether he liked San Clemente better years ago or today. “It has always been a good place,” he replied. “Best place in the world.”

Fred Gunning died in his San Clemente home on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 at age 101.
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Coordinates:   33°25'30"N   117°36'50"W

Comments

  • Fred was a well known, well liked local. The store is still under family control and just about the same (sans Fred). :-(
This article was last modified 14 years ago