Castro Valley’s chicken hatcheries were world-renowned. But sometimes taking a break with friends for a relaxing (and in this case, a bountiful) fishing trip was just as exciting.
The man with the big smile on the right side of the photo is Pete Selmeczki, who in 1926 opened Pete’s Hardware. He was born in Hungary and brought his young family to Castro Valley when the population was 1,500 people and 8 million chickens. His first store measured 40 by 45 feet and was mainly a paint shop. During the height of egg-producing season, he sold wire for cages and chicken feed. During prohibition, Selmeczki stocked gallon jugs by the gross.
Selmeczki was very involved in improving the valley and was a volunteer firefighter. He also helped Castro Valley improve its water supply and sewer system. He died while fishing, and his sons, Frank and Ernie, took over the business. Ernie’s daughter, Linda, and her husband, Jeff Roark, now run this very helpful store…