Sportsman’s started out in the mid-1940s as an actual sporting goods store as seen here some vintage ads from the Richmond Independent.  At that time, Georgina Pedro [1905-1990], originally from Rodeo, was also listed as the owner and operator (she later became Mrs. George Moitoza).  One of the perks of this business, it had living quarters attached to it at 1629 23rd Street, built in 1913.

By early 1950, liquor was added to the inventory and soon, grocery items as well.  By this time, George "Sonny" Moitoza went on to open another business, The Golden Pheasant, leaving the Sportsman's Shop to Georgina in 1948. It became a popular corner store for this local area, especially since it was open until 2AM.  It is listed in the 1950 US Census as a Liquor Store-Bait Shop. Eventually, its main business came from liquor sales, and the sporting good sales dwindled away.

Sportsman’s sponsored a popular bowling team at Lucky '60' Lanes in San Pablo in the late 1950s.  Unfortunately, it was also the target of numerous robberies and attempted robberies.  Despite all the bad luck, this liquor store has stood the test of time.  In the 1980s and 90s, there was an employee that worked weekends who was very popular, Dan Boone.  He lived around the corner on Bush and was well-liked by anyone and everyone who met him.  Do you remember him?