ARTHUR GALLEGOS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AT O.K. CLOTHIERS

March 31, 2003

ARTHUR GALLEGOS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AT O.K. CLOTHIERS

Arthur Gallegos, owner and proprietor of the O.K. Clothiers in Santa Rosa, says the last 50 years have been fulfilling and rewarding and he says he'll stick it out as long as he able.

"I don't want to retire. I enjoy what I do and I enjoy working and interacting with people," he said; he also feels good about contributing and helping out the city.

Gallegos received his bachelor's of business administration from University of New Mexico in 1951. After serving two years in the Air Force he returned to Santa Rosa to run his father's store. The store moved to its current location in the heart of Santa Rosa in 1946. His father, Evaristo Gallegos, opened the store in 1935.

"There's a lot of history in this store," he said. "I have no regrets in choosing to continue to run my father's store."

Following college and military service, he knew he would follow in his father's footsteps. He is however, grateful for having received his degree from UNM.

Gallegos said the degree brought him the ideals and character of being a better person and a better American.

"My degree helped in marketing the store, understanding the clothing business and how to work with people," he said. "A degree helps you in other ways in life. Acquiring a degree is not just getting a better job or having a better career. It's about feeling better and making you a better person."

What he remembers most while at UNM is the many friends he made and the wonderful teachers he had. He was active in intramural sports at UNM and participated basketball and baseball in the city league in Albuquerque.

In the Class of 1951 UNM Mirage Reunion book questionnaire, he writes that his words of wisdom are, "Take advantage of all your educational opportunities."

He has seen a lot of changes in Santa Rosa in the past few decades. As a local businessman, he noticed how people's shopping behaviors have changed with the times. He mentioned that more and more people now shop on the Internet and through the Home Shopping Network on TV.

He would like to see a few things change in small towns, not only in Santa Rosa, but elsewhere.
"People in small towns need an excuse to shop for clothing, food, prescription drugs and other necessities, but what they don't realize is that shopping in their hometown helps generate gross receipts taxes that goes back to the community," he said.

He wishes the local public school would support local merchants instead of shopping elsewhere. One problem he has noticed is that the schools hardly ever support local merchants. He said the schools never patronize his store for sporting merchandise such as shoes, jackets or other athletic gear.

Gallegos agrees that town merchants know their clientele and local stores are more than a place to purchase needed items, they're a place to meet and greet neighbors. That's the strength of a local store.

Gallegos married Esther Alarid in 1959 and raised four sons and a daughter. In 1978, he and his family opened "Fashion Fantasy," which Esther has run for 25 years.

In his spare time he golfs and works around the house and yard. He enjoys what he does. Stop by the O.K. Clothiers and say hi to him. He'll be there.

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