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Theo Gier was born in Germany in 1860. When he was of age, he joined the tide of Europeans migrating across the Atlantic, arriving in California in 1882. After having been in the US for only a year, he set up a grocery store in Oakland: apparently a successful one at that. Only a decade later, he established a retail and wholesale wine company.
John Thomas ("Picnics, Coffins and Shoo-Flies") notes that the company had two outlets. The retailing business was based at 915 Washington St., while the wholesale operations was located at 515 14th St. Presumably, the famous "Metropole Whiskey" was introduced during this time, although we have no records.
The Wilsons (Spirits Bottles of the Old West) suggest that Gier was a prominent community figure who also established a bank (The Security and Trust Co.) and helped make the Alameda & Contra Costa counties tunnel possible. In 1910, Gier's wine and liquor operations were sold and the company dissolved. (see The Lucchesi Collection for more information on Gier).
The company used the brand names:
"Mellwood Special", "Metropole", and "Metropole Whiskey." | | Business name timeline:
The Theo Gier Co.
Address timeline:
511-515 14th St. | |
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BUY ME! | 
BUY ME! | 
BUY ME! | 
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BUY ME! |
1895 |
no date |
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