Longtime CMC Worker A.B. Jackson Retires After 41 Years
California Market Center tenants gathered on Feb. 1 for a party in honor of A.B. Jackson, who ran the CMC’s mailroom for 41 years.
Jackson is retiring to spend more time with his family, including five grandchildren and extended family in Arizona and Louisiana. A familiar face to many CMC tenants, Jackson’s friendly professionalism will be missed, many said.
“A long time ago, they would deliver the mail directly to the showrooms—and you’d see his smiling face,” said CMC employee Sue Cosentino. “Now, if my guys don’t pick up the mail, here [A.B.] comes, saying ’How’s your day?’ You don’t get caring like that.”
Jackson also works in the media room at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles and said he plans to continue working there “for a while.” However, the novelty of seeing celebrities at the Staples Center has long worn off.
“I’ve seen them all,” he joked.
CMC employees and tenants threw Jackson a surprise party in the sixth-floor mailroom.
“I’ve been giving him hugs every day this week, telling him I’m going to miss him,” said Jane Tuchman, owner of the Tuchman Showroom.
Over the years, Jackson remained friends with the CMC’s longtime tenants and watched a new generation of showroom owners and employees come in.
“The fun part is you see the people and you see their kids when they’re small—and now a lot of them are running the businesses,” Jackson said. “I’ll definitely miss the people.” —Alison A. Nieder
