Joseph Stephen Stromei
January 19, 1938 — January 17, 2008
Joseph Stephen Stromei, founder and owner of Aaardvark's Odd Ark, passed away on January 17, 2008. Joe was born in Tucson, Arizona on January 19, 1938 in Tucson, Arizona. He was preceded in death by parents Carl and Helen Stromei and infant brother Joseph Rocco. Survived by sisters Theresa S. Howe (Edmund) of St. Louis, Missouri and Angelina Stromei of Tucson, Arizona; aunt Carmetta Damento of Tucson; nephew Joseph William Howe of St. Louis; numerous cousins in both the Stromei and Zappia families.
Joe graduated from Tucson High School in 1956 in a graduating class of 1000, the largest that school had ever known. He pursued his education at the University of Arizona with studies in sociology and psychology. Joe's adventurous spirit and a distant vision led him to the Los Angeles area almost 40 years ago. He enrolled at Loyola University in the College of Law, but he needed a way to support himself while he pursued a law degree. After WWII, when Joe was still a boy, his father owned a second-hand store for surplus military clothing. His mother did a lot of sewing for the business and for the family, and he learned about fabrics, colors and recycling while growing up. It was natural, then, for Joe to turn to something he knew in order to earn enough money to keep him in school. He attended classes during the week and began to sell antique clothing at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and other swap meets on weekends. He dubbed an old panel truck 'the Odd Ark' and Aaardvark's was born! Why triple A in Aaardvark's you want to ask, and Joe is quick to explain that the extra 'A' put him at the top of the list in the phone book under 'used clothing'.
The first store opened in February 1972 in Hermosa Beach, followed by a second store in March on the corner of Melrose and Curson in North Hollywood, and a third in June of the same year in Silver Lake. In the height of the hippie era, Levi s and cowboy shirts were extremely popular. Aaardvark's Odd Ark was such a success that it became increasingly difficult to find enough clothing in California. He contacted Mom in Tucson and soon boxes of 501's from thrift stores in Arizona began their journey to LA. Some of the used Levi's were in great shape but that was easy to fix and ready to sell for $8.00 with a slash of scissors and a dip in Clorox. Denim and bell bottoms were a hot fashion item in the early 70's, and high demand led Joe into manufacturing and design. A pair of denim bell bottoms (with a cutout of zippers decorating the side of the pant leg) coupled with a denim vest or denim jacket (embroidered with an American Beauty Rose or Great Bald Eagle) made an inexpensive outfit that was a 'Hard Act to Follow' which was one of Aaardvark's first design labels. It was during this time that Joe designed costumes for Donny and Marie Osmond as well as other celebrities and entertainers. California's current governor was seen in Aardvark's way back then. Robin Williams shopped for vintage Hawaiian shirts there, and thus Aaardvark's made the cover of TV Guide. Aardvark's neon triple AAA flashed behind Julia Roberts at the beginning of the movie 'Pretty Woman'. Another hot item were classic Hawaiian shirts from the 1940's and '50's were such a hot item, and again a shortage of the real thing led to the creation of the 'Hawaiian Hot' label.
What makes Joe's used clothing business unique might be called the ultimate in recycling -- redesign. If Joe couldn't resell an item 'as is' his imagination, creativity and fashion sense led him to give it new life. Embroidered tablecloths became women's blouses with 'angel-wings' or the '70s wrap-around skirt. Silk kimonos were recycled into blouses and dresses for women and shirts for men. Crisp white shirts, freshly dry-cleaned, were always popular with Aaardvark's customers from waiters to aspiring CEO's interviewing for their first job. In the '80s, racks of white shirts dyed black, magenta, cobalt blue, turquoise and red added color and 'flash' to Aaardvark stores.
Eventually Aaardvark's incorporated and became a chain of used or recycled clothing stores throughout California from. Five stores remain today. Melrose has long been an LA landmark and the anchor store with sister-stores in Pasadena, Canoga Park, Venice and San Francisco right on the corner of Haight and Ashbury. The Pasadena store, like the clothing it displays, is classic vintage. Built in 1927 it was recycled by Joe from a car dealership in 1995. Today most of the clothing is purchased from charities that receive it as part of donations and from exporters. Levi's are still a staple item at Aaardvark's but now with minimum inflation they sell from $12 to $20. Today you can still find an occasional WWII bomber jacket or classic Hawaiian, but Joe's greatest business success has been to offer an eclectic mix of regular clothes for regular people who are looking for value. Something for everyone, Aaardvark's inventory ranges from classic vintage to new trends in fashion, from cashmere and silk to cotton and '70s poly. From items that cost as little as a few dollars to several hundred.
While it seems difficult to separate Joe from his chain of used clothing stores, his hobbies are just as interesting and unique. He became nationally known as a breeder of rare and colorful singing canaries as well as unusual species of plants, including succulents, cactus, bamboo, roses and orchids. For a time he also raised unusual chickens, and when one turned up looking an awful lot like a miniature Sesame Street's 'Big Bird' Joe made the cover of another magazine, this time the Smithsonian. Joe's interest in horticulture began when he was about four years old, as he followed his mother around while she weeded her garden, Joe collected the weeds his mother pulled and planted them in
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empty tin cans for his own little garden. His fascination with breeding canaries stems back to his grandmother's love for keeping singing canaries in her kitchen while she cooked her grandson's favorite meals.
Family was extremely important to Joe. He not only kept in touch with family members and friends, he was interested in hearing about friends of family and family members of friends. He rarely missed a family get-together or a high school reunion
Joe was interested in politics, current events, the world economy ' he was interested in life and enjoyed living it to the fullest. Among his many talents was weaving an artful tale. In fact, a friend referred to him as 'the storyteller'. Joe could begin with an everyday, ordinary event and embellish it with wit, humor and drama to create a memorable happening that was difficult to forget. No topic was off limits but he did have a few favorites. He was the keeper of the family history and delighted in sharing his memories of his family's heritage throughout the last century. In addition to family anecdotes he enjoyed recounting what he called 'Conversations with Mousie' in which his mother would comment on life's adventures with the family cat.
What is least known about Joe is his philanthropic nature. Many of his employees and friends benefited fro Joe's expert advice about the real market, but through the years Joe went much further in helping people than just giving good advice. He believed that in our walk through this life we must endeavor to leave our friends and acquaintances better off than when we met them. Many people own a home today because Joe helped them make the down payment. Joe was always ready to help people acquire a GED, enroll in college classes, or finish a degree. A doctor in Arkansas runs his own medical clinic today, largely because Joe helped him with tuition and living expenses through medical school. Joe helped to dress friends for job interviews and entertainment tryouts ' not just with clothes but with a finite fashion sense to make appropriate choices for every occasion. He helped people because he believed it was the right thing to do and because he belied in them.
Joe Stromei was a complex, multi-faceted individual who left memories of his wit, creativity, imagination, talents, and gifts in the hearts of family, friends, employees and business associates, and thousands of Angelenos for a long time to come.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 820 N Garfield Ave.,Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 725-7578
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through our Guest Book.
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Joe graduated from Tucson High School in 1956 in a graduating class of 1000, the largest that school had ever known. He pursued his education at the University of Arizona with studies in sociology and psychology. Joe's adventurous spirit and a distant vision led him to the Los Angeles area almost 40 years ago. He enrolled at Loyola University in the College of Law, but he needed a way to support himself while he pursued a law degree. After WWII, when Joe was still a boy, his father owned a second-hand store for surplus military clothing. His mother did a lot of sewing for the business and for the family, and he learned about fabrics, colors and recycling while growing up. It was natural, then, for Joe to turn to something he knew in order to earn enough money to keep him in school. He attended classes during the week and began to sell antique clothing at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and other swap meets on weekends. He dubbed an old panel truck 'the Odd Ark' and Aaardvark's was born! Why triple A in Aaardvark's you want to ask, and Joe is quick to explain that the extra 'A' put him at the top of the list in the phone book under 'used clothing'.
The first store opened in February 1972 in Hermosa Beach, followed by a second store in March on the corner of Melrose and Curson in North Hollywood, and a third in June of the same year in Silver Lake. In the height of the hippie era, Levi s and cowboy shirts were extremely popular. Aaardvark's Odd Ark was such a success that it became increasingly difficult to find enough clothing in California. He contacted Mom in Tucson and soon boxes of 501's from thrift stores in Arizona began their journey to LA. Some of the used Levi's were in great shape but that was easy to fix and ready to sell for $8.00 with a slash of scissors and a dip in Clorox. Denim and bell bottoms were a hot fashion item in the early 70's, and high demand led Joe into manufacturing and design. A pair of denim bell bottoms (with a cutout of zippers decorating the side of the pant leg) coupled with a denim vest or denim jacket (embroidered with an American Beauty Rose or Great Bald Eagle) made an inexpensive outfit that was a 'Hard Act to Follow' which was one of Aaardvark's first design labels. It was during this time that Joe designed costumes for Donny and Marie Osmond as well as other celebrities and entertainers. California's current governor was seen in Aardvark's way back then. Robin Williams shopped for vintage Hawaiian shirts there, and thus Aaardvark's made the cover of TV Guide. Aardvark's neon triple AAA flashed behind Julia Roberts at the beginning of the movie 'Pretty Woman'. Another hot item were classic Hawaiian shirts from the 1940's and '50's were such a hot item, and again a shortage of the real thing led to the creation of the 'Hawaiian Hot' label.
What makes Joe's used clothing business unique might be called the ultimate in recycling -- redesign. If Joe couldn't resell an item 'as is' his imagination, creativity and fashion sense led him to give it new life. Embroidered tablecloths became women's blouses with 'angel-wings' or the '70s wrap-around skirt. Silk kimonos were recycled into blouses and dresses for women and shirts for men. Crisp white shirts, freshly dry-cleaned, were always popular with Aaardvark's customers from waiters to aspiring CEO's interviewing for their first job. In the '80s, racks of white shirts dyed black, magenta, cobalt blue, turquoise and red added color and 'flash' to Aaardvark stores.
Eventually Aaardvark's incorporated and became a chain of used or recycled clothing stores throughout California from. Five stores remain today. Melrose has long been an LA landmark and the anchor store with sister-stores in Pasadena, Canoga Park, Venice and San Francisco right on the corner of Haight and Ashbury. The Pasadena store, like the clothing it displays, is classic vintage. Built in 1927 it was recycled by Joe from a car dealership in 1995. Today most of the clothing is purchased from charities that receive it as part of donations and from exporters. Levi's are still a staple item at Aaardvark's but now with minimum inflation they sell from $12 to $20. Today you can still find an occasional WWII bomber jacket or classic Hawaiian, but Joe's greatest business success has been to offer an eclectic mix of regular clothes for regular people who are looking for value. Something for everyone, Aaardvark's inventory ranges from classic vintage to new trends in fashion, from cashmere and silk to cotton and '70s poly. From items that cost as little as a few dollars to several hundred.
While it seems difficult to separate Joe from his chain of used clothing stores, his hobbies are just as interesting and unique. He became nationally known as a breeder of rare and colorful singing canaries as well as unusual species of plants, including succulents, cactus, bamboo, roses and orchids. For a time he also raised unusual chickens, and when one turned up looking an awful lot like a miniature Sesame Street's 'Big Bird' Joe made the cover of another magazine, this time the Smithsonian. Joe's interest in horticulture began when he was about four years old, as he followed his mother around while she weeded her garden, Joe collected the weeds his mother pulled and planted them in
continued...
1
2
Next
...continued
empty tin cans for his own little garden. His fascination with breeding canaries stems back to his grandmother's love for keeping singing canaries in her kitchen while she cooked her grandson's favorite meals.
Family was extremely important to Joe. He not only kept in touch with family members and friends, he was interested in hearing about friends of family and family members of friends. He rarely missed a family get-together or a high school reunion
Joe was interested in politics, current events, the world economy ' he was interested in life and enjoyed living it to the fullest. Among his many talents was weaving an artful tale. In fact, a friend referred to him as 'the storyteller'. Joe could begin with an everyday, ordinary event and embellish it with wit, humor and drama to create a memorable happening that was difficult to forget. No topic was off limits but he did have a few favorites. He was the keeper of the family history and delighted in sharing his memories of his family's heritage throughout the last century. In addition to family anecdotes he enjoyed recounting what he called 'Conversations with Mousie' in which his mother would comment on life's adventures with the family cat.
What is least known about Joe is his philanthropic nature. Many of his employees and friends benefited fro Joe's expert advice about the real market, but through the years Joe went much further in helping people than just giving good advice. He believed that in our walk through this life we must endeavor to leave our friends and acquaintances better off than when we met them. Many people own a home today because Joe helped them make the down payment. Joe was always ready to help people acquire a GED, enroll in college classes, or finish a degree. A doctor in Arkansas runs his own medical clinic today, largely because Joe helped him with tuition and living expenses through medical school. Joe helped to dress friends for job interviews and entertainment tryouts ' not just with clothes but with a finite fashion sense to make appropriate choices for every occasion. He helped people because he believed it was the right thing to do and because he belied in them.
Joe Stromei was a complex, multi-faceted individual who left memories of his wit, creativity, imagination, talents, and gifts in the hearts of family, friends, employees and business associates, and thousands of Angelenos for a long time to come.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 820 N Garfield Ave.,Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 725-7578
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through our Guest Book.
Previous
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