Book, Address
Object number2019.40.7
Manufacturer
Bates Manufacturing Company
Date1946-2019
OriginJapan
OriginOrange, NJ
MediumMetal; Paint; Paper; Ink; Pencil
Credit LineGiven in honor of the McGinnis Family
DescriptionGray-green metal clamshell contacts case. Rounded rectangular with spring-loaded hinge along back edge, page selector along right edge, and release bar at front edge. Front of case has white geometric design at left with white alphabet and additional text along right edge. Back of case has engraved maker information at center. Interior has twenty-two (22) double-sided pages of off-white paper with printed prompts, lines, and column headers and handwritten company names, individual names, and phone numbers in ink.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Closed): 1.375 × 5.313 × 8.313 in. (3.5 × 13.5 × 21.1 cm)Height x Width x Depth (Open): 7.375 × 5.313 × 9.625 in. (18.7 × 13.5 × 24.4 cm)
InscriptionsFront of case has with white text along right edge "A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / IJ / K / L / M / N / O / PQ / R / S / T / UV / WX / AREA CODES YZ / MEMO".
Page inside front cover has printed text including "FIRE_____ / POLICE_____ / BORO / DOCTOR [struck-through]_____ / HOSPITAL_____ / PLUMBER_____ / ELECTRICIAN_____" with additional handwritten text in ink next to the prompts.
Each side of each page has column headers "AREA / CODE" and "PHONE NUMBER", page number in bottom left corner and page letter in bottom right corner.
MarksBack of case has engraved text at center "BATES LIST FINDER / DIRECTOR MODEL / MATCHING TELEPHONE COLORS / MADE IN JAPAN EXPRESSLY FOR / THE BATES MANUFACTURING CO. / ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, / U.S.A."
Page inside front cover has printed text "BATES LIST FINDER / Director / MODEL / THE BATES MANUFACTURING COMPANY / ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, U. S. A. / ..."
Pages 2-22 have text at bottom center "BATES".
Last page has printed text including "DO NOT MOVE INDEX KNOB / WHEN COVER IS OPEN / TO REMOVE CARDS: / ... / TO REPLACE CARDS: / ... / NOTE: / ... / These cards have been printed in Japan expressly for / The Bates Manufacturing Co., Orange, New Jersey, U. S. A. / ..."
Historical NotesContacts case. Before switching to a computerized system, this Bates List Finder (rolodex) contained all the McGinnis Family stores suppliers, food providers, employee contacts, and other key business contacts, from office supplies and electricians to poultry and hams. The stores worked hard through the years to cultivate and maintain a loyal list of employees and suppliers. Part of the McGinnis Family Food Stores collection that encompasses materials related to the operation of a chain of family-run food markets that started in Pittsburgh’s South Hills Baldwin neighborhood in 1946. The first McGinnis market (variously referred to as “McGinnis Supermarket” or “McGinnis Food Market”) was started by family patriarch James Elwood McGinnis when he could not find a job after WWII. Beginning with a fruit cart, he eventually opened a grocery and deli at 2872 Custer Avenue in Baldwin that proved so successful it expanded to multiple stores, including one in Carrick/Castle Shannon and later Monroeville. The stores were operated by different family members. In 1985, three McGinnis sisters – Sharon McGinnis Young, Bonnie McGinnis Vello, and Noreen McGinnis Campbell – assumed operation of the main set of McGinnis Stores, rebranding them “McGinnis Sisters” markets. (Two brothers split off and started other stores not considered part of the chain.) With the three women serving as active spokespersons, the stores garnered more media attention during this period. For most of its operation, the chain was largely connected with stores that operated in the South Hills and Monroeville. Between 2008 and 2017, a McGinnis Sisters market also operated north of Pittsburgh in a shopping center in Adams Township/Mars, Pennsylvania. A series of events between 2017 and 2019 eventually brought about the closure of the chain. Objects in the collection were gathered from throughout the stores and consolidated at the final property, the McGinnis Sisters Special Food Store at 3825 Saw Mill Run Boulevard.
Previous owner
McGinnis Family Food Stores
(1946 - 2019)
Related person
James Elwood McGinnis
Related person
Sharon McGinnis Young
Related person
Bonnie McGinnis Vello
Related person
Noreen McGinnis Campbell
On View
Not on view
c. 1989
c. 1989
