From SanDiegoVille / March 2025
James Gang Printing, a cornerstone of San Diego’s Ocean Beach community since 1976, has closed its doors, leaving behind a nearly 50-year legacy of custom printing and local advocacy.
A sign on the door at 4851 Newport Avenue as of March 21, 2025, announced, “We are moving. If you have any questions please email info@jamesgangprinting.com,” suggesting a relocation rather than a permanent end, though the destination remains unclear. The closure marks the end of an era for a business that not only shaped Ocean Beach’s commercial landscape but also its cultural identity.
The James Gang story began in 1976 when brothers Ron, Rich, Greg, Mike, and Pat James – hence the “Gang” – founded James Gang Graphics on Newport Avenue. The siblings, part of a Navy family that had moved between San Diego, the Aleutian Islands, and Redding, California, were drawn back to the city’s warmth and Ocean Beach’s laid-back vibe.
Ron started the venture as an offshoot of his public relations and advertising agency, First Impressions, initially focusing on photo work before pivoting to T-shirt screen printing. By 1976, all five brothers were involved, with Pat joining last after Mike and Pat were gifted shares that Christmas. Their first job, printing for a North Park bar, barely covered the bar tab, but it sparked a business that would endure for decades. …
The closure’s roots trace to early 2025, when a “Space For Lease” sign appeared, as reported by The OB Rag on February 17. Speculation pointed to rising rents on Newport Avenue – a trend some attribute to Starbucks’ high lease over 20 years ago – or a consolidation to the Miramar facility for cost savings through automation. Doroski’s brief tenure on the OBMA Board of Directors, ending with a personal resignation in December 2024 after five months, added to the uncertainty.
Those Brothers did a solid for OB for so long. I will never forget the absolutely great artwork by Dale Sedenquist on all the old OB Tee’s , while I lived there in the late 70’s and 80’s. They provided a great job for local (hippie types) like Woody, Jimmy Sticks,the drummer, Jeanne Puyda, beautiful Karen, (Jimmy’s Babe), and many others. Well done JAMES GANG!
I’ve had to edit the article down to just a few paragraphs after a disagreement with the owner of SanDiegoVille.
All the good parts. ?
It was a good account, well-written but I thought it would be ok to repost the entire piece. It was a miscommunication at best. But the link to the balance of the article is good. (Just where are you now?)
Hola Frank. I am currently in Busan, South Korea. Next week off to Bangkok, Thailand.
Be careful Dude, you just missed the big earthquake.
James Gang will be sorely missed in OB!
Your support with ideas, leadership, beautification and spirit will be missed. Thanks for all the contributions to OB through the years.
The James Gang original store on Newport was my first job when we arrived in Ocean Beach in 1989. I was a Texas girl and when Rich hired me he told me that one of the reasons he wanted me to work there was my Texas twang. He was such a sweet guy. It was a dream job. I worked for Pat. He was such a wonderful guy. Always there to help and allowed me to dress the windows, which was amazing! Worked lots of hours but the guys made every day a reason to smile. They were kind, compassionate and never really acted like “bosses” but more like buddies we worked for. I’d pull into the parking lot in the morning while the silkscreen guys and the brothers played hackeesack on the side of the building and those same silkscreen guys would surf at lunch. When they had to move from that original spot it was like someone had cut out a piece of the heart of OB. Those guys were like the unofficial Mayors in Town and were loved by all. I never heard one bad word about any of the guys the entire time I lived and worked there. They made a young Texas girl feel at home when home was very far away. I’ll never forget them, their compassion and love for everyone. #JamesGang4Ever