EL SEGUNDO HERALD November 12, 2020 Page 9
Ian Gittins from front page
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workshops for adults and kids, as well as free
owners classes for those who have purchased
their machine or software from Tanner’s. Like
all businesses, the advent of the COVID-19
pandemic and social-distancing guidelines has
affected Tanner’s currently offered services.
Still, even in these tumultuous times, the goal
is the same: be committed to quality first,
providing top-shelf products for the home
that will function effectively for many, many
years and not need replacing the minute the
warranty expires.
Gittins said that his sewing machine business
had added customers during the lockdown. He
said initially there was an upsurge in people
looking to make facemasks, injecting “new
sewers into the world of sewing,” and that
after they mastered the mask-making task, they
were looking for other ways to utilize their
sewing talents, with many of his customers
delving into the field of embroidery.
“The sewing industry has really taken off,” he
said while noting that he is currently enjoying
his work more than he has in years.
One customer who is loyal to Tanner’s is
Aileen Tanimoto. Here is what she emailed
about her experiences: “I am a recently retired
(June 12th) Home Economics teacher after
teaching 43 years. Fabric/Sewing machine
stores are my passion. Living in Palos Verdes
and teaching secondary education at Paramount
High School, there are many stores that I can
visit between my work and home. I would rather
drive the extra miles to Tanner’s because of
the excellent service and family atmosphere.
They know you well enough to call you by
your first name when you walk in. After a
long day at work, I fight the 405 traffic to
sit with the Tuesday afternoon sewing group.
Wednesday is computer software day. If you
purchase the software or sewing machine, you
are given free classes for life. I have a sewing
machine store 1.5 miles from my house
but would much rather drive the 45 minutes
to one-hour to Tanner’s for the personalized
service that I receive.”
Manhattan Beach resident Lori Christian
also raves about her experiences with the
folks at Tanner’s, which have encompassed
more than 20 years: “Really good service, in
a very helpful environment, whether you are
a beginner, or more advanced,” she emailed,
noting the personalized service she receives.
Christian said she had purchased both sewing
machines and vacuums from Tanner’s,
mentioning that she has nabbed four sewing
machines from Tanner’s.
“They are the best. Everyone who works
there knows what the machine does and how
to use them. It is like an old-time business,
with modern equipment.”
Gus Kazemi, who owns the Coffee Company,
located nearby to Tanner’s, and has known Ian
for 27 years, said Gittins drop by regularly for
coffee and that they have become “friends,
and colleagues.” “He is always helpful in any
repair question that I have,” Kazemi said. ‘He
taught me a lot about the equipment,” Kazemi
added, noting how Gittins also gives him advice
on purchasing any needed store equipment.
Lisa Alexakis, who has worked for Tanner’s
for more than a decade, really enjoys
her job. “I have worked for Tanner’s Sewing
and Vacuum Center for almost 12 years, and
Love It here,” she emailed. “It’s great to work
someplace where I get to be creative in sewing.
I teach all the new sewing machine and
serger owners how to use their new machines.
It is very satisfying to help people learn and
enjoy their new machines, from basic new
beginners to experienced sewists trying out
machine embroidery for the first time. I also
order all the sewing notions (thread, seam
rippers, bobbins, specialty sewing feet) and
sewing machine parts.”
“Ian Gittins is great to work with,” she
continued. “It truly feels like we are family
here. We have a lot of fun at work as well as
getting our work done. It is nice to work for
and with someone who treats all his employees
and customers so well. He is one of the most
honest and genuine people I know.”
Rick Martinez, a certified sewing machine
mechanic, has thirty-five years of experience
in the industry, the last nine with Tanners. He
said that “the crew here is simply great. Ian is
really cool. Ian is the boss, but he is a friend.”
Martinez said that the positive work vibe at
Tanner’s comes stems from the fact that “all
of the employees here treat people the way
we want to be treated. All of the employees
treat it like it is their business.”
Originally from Wales, Ian, his parents, and
brother one day just picked-up their belongings
and relocated, not just “across the pond,” but
to Glendale, California, near the end of the
1960’s. While working as a delivery man for
the Arrowhead Water company, Ian called on
one of his accounts in Burbank, which just
happened to be a sewing machine and vacuum
selling establishment. The proprietor, knowing
that Ian had a mechanical bent, suggested
Gittins might have a future in that industry.
Gittins ended-up getting hurt on the job with
Arrowhead and started working part-time at the
Burbank sewing-vacuum shop. He liked the
work and thought that “this is a fun business.
I could possibly own one of these.” He heard
that the “one-man-show” at Tanner’s was looking
for help. So, he showed up, sold a couple
of sewing machines upon his arrival, and was
hired-on. Gittins became a 50% owner of Tanner’s,
which has been around since 1964, in
the early 80’s, and sole owner in the late 80’s.
When not tending to his business interests,
the mechanically- oriented Gittins likes to build
remote control airplanes, including gliders. He
also occasionally tools around the area in his
1967 Corvette, sometimes in search of that
perfect cup of coffee. He tries to stay physically
active, participating in occasional events
dubbed “tough mudders,” five-ten mile runs
over and through a course that is dotted with
challenging obstacles.
A resident of El Segundo for nearly 30
years, Gittins, like many transplanted residents,
cites the “neighborhood feel” of living in
town, likening living in El Segundo to being
transported back to the 1960’s.
Asked about any retirement plans, Gittins,
63, said he has not really contemplated making
that move. “I am just really blessed for
having some loyal, great customers who have
recommended (Tanner’s).” As for his business
philosophy, Gittins said that “I just try to do
the best job that I can possibly do.” It seems
to have worked out very well for him and his
loyal customers for more than three decades. •
Ian Gittins with one of his gliders.
“Without change there is no innovation, creativity or incentive for improvement.
Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.”
– William Pollard