By Lisa Evans
As of August 2015, Kobey’s Swap Meet celebrates their 35th year of Operation at the Valley View Casino Center, also known as the San Diego Sports Arena. It all began back in 1976 when founder Monte Kobey took over the local Midway Swap Meet at the old Midway Drive-In in San Diego, CA. Starting with only 13 sellers and 200 shoppers, Kobey persevered in running his family business, even when told in 1979 that he must move the Swap Meet from the original property.
Not to be outdone, Kobey successfully relocated the business to its current location at the San Diego Sports Arena. By August of 1980, Kobey’s had grown and prospered, offering over 1,000 sellers and attracting more than 25,000 shoppers every weekend. Taking part in the family Swap Meet’s success, in 1989, Monte Kobey’s daughter, Kimberly Kobey Pretto, took over the company operations and continues today as Kobey’s President alongside her husband Charles Pretto, Vice President & General Counsel.
Adding to the family legacy, in 2007, Monte Kobey’s eldest grandson, Anthony Pretto, son of Kimberly & Charles, began working full time at the swap meet as an assistant manager, also taking charge of the growing and highly successful social media accounts for the family business.
Now 35 years and three generations deep, Kobey’s Swap Meet continues to draw in a wide array of vendors offering merchandise of every stripe and flavor. With continued strong attendance by loyal San Diegans every weekend, Kobey’s has definitely found its place in California’s history. For more information please visit, www.kobeyswap.com.
Kobey’s Swap Meet
3500 Sports Arena Blvd,
San Diego, CA 95136
Tel. 619-226-0650
Website: www.kobeyswap.com