1965 - 1985
Continuing our journey through 70 years of Broadway Glass history.
Read below as we take a look back at the years from 1965 to 1985 as told by Ron DeWolf
In our last chapter, we reflected on the first decade of Broadway Glass. Combining 2 decades this month we look back on the years between 1965 and 1985 — a period of growth, change, and deepening family roots.
By then, Broadway Glass had become more than a business — it was the heart of our family. With three generations of DeWolf’s working side by side, we navigated life’s highs and lows together, building a legacy that would shape our future.
1965–1975: Rolling Up Our Sleeves
By 1965, momentum was building. That year, my grandparents bought a brand-new Chevy El Camino — our mobile glass installation vehicle, and years later, my very first car.
Our father, James DeWolf, was hard at work expanding the residential service side of the business, while maintaining strong partnerships with local dealerships like Pacific Ford and Beach City Chevrolet.
Back at the shop, it wasn’t just work – it was home. While Papa greeted customers, cut glass, and repaired windows in the shop, my sister Denise and I found our own adventures there. We turned a glass dolly —nicknamed The Alligator — into our makeshift skateboard. Denise, being a bit older, would tag along with Dad from ages 6 to 8, proudly helping him with glass changes on cars.
And who could forget Grandmother’s homemade cookies and cupcakes? For all of our longtime friends, employees and customers, those sweet treats were as much a part of Broadway Glass as the glasswork itself. Even today, those cookies are still talked about regularly.
As soon as I was old enough, I began helping sweep floors, stock the showcase, and slowly learning the ropes. Saturdays and after-school hours were spent absorbing everything I could, from cutting glass to full window repairs.
1975–1985: Growth, Change, and Commitment
In 1975, after school and on summers, beyond my learnings from Grandmother and Papa, I had the privilege of learning the ropes from Johnny Garcia, or “Jfrog” as we called him (and still call him today). Johnny taught me how to build screens, polish mirrors, and install entire mirrored walls. I particularly remember making 200 screens for Procter & Gamble.
Once I got my learner’s permit, I started driving Jfrog to job sites, soaking up everything I could about installations.
Fun Fact: In 2024, Jfrog officially retired — making him our longest-tenured employee outside of family. His contribution to Broadway Glass is immeasurable.
In 1976, Dad, James W DeWolf, left the family business to go back into Public Accounting.
In 1977, Denise joined the business through a school internship. Working alongside Grandmother, she focused on bookkeeping – a skill that would later prove vital to Broadway Glass’s growth as well as hers.
As the business evolved, we concentrated our efforts on shower enclosures and aluminum window repair. Around this time, Papa began stepping back, and we bought him a recliner – a well-earned perch from which he could “supervise” the shop floor.
After graduating high school in 1980, I joined the full-time business, not realizing then it would be the only full-time job I’d ever have. When Papa became ill, I made the difficult decision to set aside my dream of becoming a police officer and help run the shop.
Denise continued working at Broadway Glass through those years, but in late 1982 she left to pursue a career at a CPA firm, and I took on payables, receivables, and payroll duties, working closely with our grandmother to keep things running.
When Papa passed away in 1982, it marked the end of an era — but also deepened our family’s commitment to carrying his legacy forward.
After four years in public accounting, Denise returned to the family business in 1986 – bringing back her experience and expertise to help lead us into the next chapter.
Keep up with us each month to learn something new about our growth and development throughout the last 70 years!
