Northshore Magazine

Business ne 108 nshoremag.com July 2014 photographs by jared charney or people, age can be a touchy subject, but for a business, old age is a quality to advertise. In consumers' eyes, the more "years of ex- perience," the more reliable the service, the more reputable the provider. Local communities prefer longevity as well: Established companies give back via donations and sponsorships, they boost tourism, and they even help shape an entire region's personality. The following five companies are over 50 years old (some well over) and are commercial icons of the North Shore. Although industries differ, they have a few key things in common—a sense of history that permeates their operations and an ability to morph with the times without losing sight of core values. F Over 50: Clockwise from top left, Landry & Arcari Oriental Rugs & Carpeting, Gorton's Seafood, Rick Grobe of The White Elephant Shop, Giblees Menswear, and Woodman's of Essex Five North Shore businesses that keep improving with age. By Jennifer Sperry A Celebration of North Shore Institutions Gorton's Seafood Since 1849 Everyone knows the jingle and has prob- ably eaten a fish stick or two. Gorton's is a freezer aisle fixture—the company's fish sticks and fried fish fillets are staples for many a family. Gorton's walks the walk with a 150-plus- year-old past tied to the fishing industry. The company was originally founded by a father-son duo in 1849 under the name John Pew & Sons. This small precursor eventually merged with Slade Gorton's Rockport-based fishing business and two other Gloucester fisheries in 1906 to cre- ate Gorton-Pew Fisheries. In light of the merger, the expanded company opened of- fices on Rogers Street in Gloucester, where the main office is still located today. "Many folks know us as 'Gorton's of Gloucester,' " says CEO Judson Reis. "We've been fortunate to have the same beautiful view of Gloucester Harbor from our main office across the street for over a century—with some structural updates, of course." Interestingly, Gorton's was the first to develop a frozen convenience food— fried codfish fillets—but has focused recently on healthier options such as gluten-free grilled fish and "artisan" fil- lets with bold-flavored breadcrumbs. Not surprisingly, the trademark fish sticks and fillets "remain some of our most loved and best-selling items," notes Reis. Recently, the multimillion-dollar company turned its attention toward sustainability. "It's become a priority for us," says the CEO. "Over the past five years, we've implemented world- class sustainability practices under our 'Trusted Catch' platform and moved from sourcing 64 percent of our wild- caught seafood from certified fisheries to 97 percent in 2013." "There is still a lot of work to do on this sustainability journey," asserts Reis. "But as the leading seafood brand in America, we view it as our responsibility to help create change and to ensure that generations to come can enjoy a great variety of delicious seafood." gortons.com The White Elephant Shop Since 1952 The White Elephant has been in continu- ous operation on Main Street, Essex, since 1952. In the 1980s, just a couple miles down the street, Rick Grobe and his wife Jean purchased a residential property with the goal of turning its old barn into a house. When Grobe heard the White Elephant was for sale, he jumped at the chance and has continued the KJ_NS July 14 5over50.indd 108 5/9/14 12:04 PM

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