We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again—for Barb’s sake:

CITY is only as strong as the people behind it, and few represent that better than Barb Gehrke.

“I loved working at CITY,” Barb shared. “I wear my 100th anniversary CITY shirt once a week because I’m proud to have worked at CITY for over twenty years.”

Barb started her CITY journey in 1987, back when the operation was still in its original downtown location—before the fire, before the new building, and long before social media. She worked wherever she was needed, often hanging garments and eventually managing the conveyors. Whatever the task, Barb brought her work ethic and her heart.

“At that time, we were downtown in an old building—hot, oh my gosh—but we made it,” Barb recalled with a smile. “Then after the fire, CITY rebuilt, and I was proud to be part of it.”

She officially retired after two decades but came back to help out for another two years—because once you’re CITY, you’re always CITY.

Even today, Barb remains one of CITY’s most loyal social media fans. If you follow our social pages, chances are you’ve seen her name pop up—liking, commenting, and celebrating the team she once worked alongside.

“If you’re not following CITY’s Facebook page, you should,” Barb said. “There’s so much good information, and I love seeing people I used to work with—seeing how much they enjoy what they’re doing.”

Barb’s CITY pride runs deep, and we couldn’t be more grateful. She even volunteered at the company’s 100-year celebration, proudly earning the commemorative shirt she still wears today.

“The kids at school ask me if I’m 100 years old because of that shirt,” she joked. “Not yet!”

Barb Gehrke reminds us that CITY is more than just uniforms and trucks. It’s about the people who build it—who show up every day with pride, purpose, and community spirit that lasts long after the last shift.

Thank you, Barb, for your years of service—and for continuing to cheer us on.