And playing left beef…
October 31st, 2007 | by mmb5 |Never, ever give people too many options.
If you grew up in the Detroit area in the 1970s or 80s, you undoubtedly watched much CBC. And you saw the commercials for local businesses that were usually public access quality at best. On the left is a fake ad from last month’s Ann Arbor Observer (they have a fake ad contest every month). As much as the ad is an easy joke by just listing a few Canadian musical acts, the deep Windsor knowledge of adding that the concert will take place at A.J. “Gus” Gervais Plaza takes the ad to a whole new level. Mr. Gervais’ store was a fur shop, where “manufacturing makes the big difference”, a tag line delivered by “Gus” himself with all of the charisma of a can opener. If only I can find a copy of this somewhere.
6 Responses to “And playing left beef…”
By jay forstner on Nov 11, 2007 | Reply
Hey. I wrote the Loonie-palooza ad. Nice to have someone else recognize the Gus Gervais reference. The address is as close as I can come to remembering the address for his shop. Those ads were a fixture on Hockey Night in Canada when I was a kid. I read somewhere recently that furriers at one time dotted Ouellette Avenue in Windsor, but I don’t know what happened to Gus or his shop. If anyone comes up with a copy of an old ad, though, I’ll send it along. Thanks for the notice.
By Chris Russo on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
Jay, I worked for AAO during 1996-7-8 I think I even used a work space you did–next to Penny’s office? Anyway I have a killer idea for a fake ad. How can I get in touch with you directly? Otherwise I’ll give John Hilton the concept and he can pass it on
By LTF on Feb 4, 2009 | Reply
It is great to see that there are others who hold ‘Gus’ Gervais with the same high regard and reverence that we did as Buffalo natives attending law school in Toledo in the late ’70s and catching those outstanding commercials during Hockey Night in Canada. His store was “Two blocks from the tunnel exit.” Sadly, AJ is the product of a bygone era, where manufacturing made the big difference and the PETA folk hadn’t yet come together. Gus represented all that was wholesome and right with the world, or at least Windsor. We didn’t really care about the game muc–we just wanted our ‘Gus’ fix. If AJ is still around I’m guessing he’s no younger than 90. Thanks Gus, for the memories!!
By scott on Feb 3, 2012 | Reply
Check the 2nd commercial at this youtube link. “762 Ouelette Avenue, 2 blocks from theee tunnel exit”.
By mmb5 on Feb 3, 2012 | Reply
Scott: Thank you so much!
By Steve johnson on Mar 21, 2015 | Reply
Wicked gervais reference. I remember those commercials during hockey night in Canada. Great tag line ????????