Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Celsi, Guido A. A. 1887 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com June 26, 2010, 9:01 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 431 - 432
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     GUIDO A. A. CELSI has built up an extensive and successful enterprise as 
founder, president and general manager of the Basket Grocery & Delicatessen 
Company of Portland. He is a native of Italy, born in 1887, his parents being 
Lorenzo and Salina (Rollandi) Celsi, who were married in that country and 
still reside there. Their family numbers four sons and three daughters.

     Guido A. A. Celsi acquired his education in his native land and had 
attained the age of eighteen years when he crossed the Atlantic to the United 
States in 1905. Making his way to San Francisco, California, he was there 
identified with the grocery business for five years and then in 1910 came to 
Portland, where he was half owner of Brandon's Market until 1912, when he sold 
his interest therein to H. C. Clark. In the latter year he established the 
Basket Grocery & Liquor Company, which was conducted as a partnership concern 
under the name of Monroe & Celsi until 1918, when the senior member of the 
firm disposed of his interest to Mr. Celsi, who remained the sole proprietor 
of the business for one year. In 1919 he formed a corporation in which he gave 
four employes a free interest. Mr. Celsi has occupied his present quarters at 
111 Park street since 1923 and retained the original location until 1925. He 
conceived the now popular method of marketing known as "cash and carry" and 
with the passing years has developed a wholesale business of large and 
profitable proportions. It is worthy of note that his establishment has been 
closed only four days since its doors were first opened sixteen years ago — in 
1912. Mr. Celsi has the greatest assortment of food products and beverages, 
both imported and domestic, on the Pacific coast. An idea of the vast variety 
of foods carried may be gained from the fact that in the delicatessen 
department there are seventy-five different kinds of cheese. The company 
maintains a health food department under the direction of a physician and a 
dietician who give free advice to patrons.

     In 1917 Mr. Celsi was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Plancich, of 
Portland, and they have become the parents of two children, Bernice L. and 
Lawrence A., who are now ten and seven years of age, respectively. Mr. Celsi 
has membership in the Portland Chamber of Commerce and several civic 
organizations and fraternally is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks.

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