Jack Saba recalls ’52 earthquake

Bako Bits: Remembering the kindness of Jack Saba, clothier on Baker Street, and welcoming in the fall season of charity barbecues – BAKERSFIELD OBSERVED SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

… SABA: Bakersfield lost one of its finest citizens last week with the death of Jack Saba. This tribute to the Saba family comes from Riley Parker, who remembers them from when he was a rookie foot patrol officer with Bakersfield police. “I first met the Saba family in March of 1969. As a newly hired Bakersfield police officer I needed uniforms… yet I had no money. The Saba’s understood the struggles of a 21 year old just starting a career and by financing their own credit, they made it possible for all of us to get our proper start in law enforcement. Several times I accompanied Al Saba to the CHP academy in Sacramento, where he made certain that every newly hired officer had each uniform essential, never questioning the creditworthiness of those young officers. Jim and Jack provided the same unselfish level of service to officers in Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino and San Luis Obispo counties. The Saba family demonstrated the epitome of trust and service in the Bakersfield community.During the late spring and summer of 1969 I was assigned to walk the Baker Street foot beat. During that time, the back door of Saba’s was always open. Whether for a drink of water, or a shady respite, we all knew that we were welcome there.”

Source: http://www.bakersfieldobserved.com/2013/09/bako-bits-remembering-kindness-of-jack.html

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Saba’s opened March 1, 1934. It is located at 915 Baker Street Bakersfield, CA 93305. The original store was destroyed in an earthquake in 1952. This sign below was built for the new store in 1953.

Source photo: http://www.roadarch.com/12/11/sabas.jpg
http://www.roadarch.com/signs/cabaker.html