COMPANY HISTORY

After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945, Murray M. Jacobs and his new bride, ‘Jackie,’ left Brooklyn, New York for their new home in St. Petersburg, Florida. They opened “Jackie & Murray’s Sunset Beach Playground,” where they served hot dogs for 10¢ and a cold beer for only 25¢.

During the 2 years of owning & operating the restaurant, Murray found himself reacquainted with his Uncle Mo Bilchick, who had himself retired from the rubber business in Brooklyn. With Uncle Mo’s help Murray established his own rubber business in February of 1948 and Goodyear Rubber Products’ first storefront was opened at 2734 Central Avenue.

The business was a family affair: Murray’s mother handled the books, Jackie’s dad handled the customers, Jackie herself answered the phone, and young Murray loaded up his station wagon each morning with garden hose, matting, rainwear and gloves, and circled his route of ‘Mom-Pop’ hardware stores. Murray made monthly rounds North to Port Richey, South to Venice, and East to Lakeland heralding his motto, “IF IT’S RUBBER, WE HAVE IT!”

As the years passed, Murray Jacobs offered his wide range of industrial rubber products to the neighbouring cities and counties. The emergence of industry along the West Central coast of Florida inspired Murray to become a key supplier of a wide range of industrial rubber products for the region’s growing markets.