In 1953, Acme Sand & Gravel was established by H. A. Kight on the far east side of Tucson on the west banks of the Pantano Wash. In 1964, the site on E 22nd Street was purchased by John P. Janosko and his son John M. Janosko under the name Janosko Enterprises Inc./Acme Sand & Gravel. Offering many sand and aggregate products and unique landscape materials like White Marble, Crushed Brick, and “Colored Gravel”. This color coated gravel was 5/8 inch in size and available in 4 colors: green, aqua, gold and red.
John P. other son Gary, and John M. childern Donna, Dean, Jeff and Joe grew up with the business. Much of the family took on various jobs the businesses required through the years. In 1968 the Gulf gas station was rolled in place on the east side of the property from it’s 22nd Street and Kolb Road location and used as a truck repair and maintenance shop for several years.
With the beginnings of a natural desert landscape and water conservation, John M and Gary Janosko opened Acme Exterior Decorator Center in the new building offering earth-tone colors in granites, lava rock from northern Arizona and Salt River Rock from the Phoenix Valley. In 1973 Acme Mini-Mix Concrete provided small batch ready-mix delivery to homeowners and contractors for over 25 years from this location.
During the latter 1970s through the 1990s Joe and Flo Kimpton operated the sand & gravel. In the mid 80’s the decorator center became Starburst Materials and in the early 90’s D & D Materials with Dick and Donna Nash and currently Sam and Nancy Legg. The original Acme Sand & Gravel office was refurbished and leased by Michael Jacobs of Tucson Bobcat . With the passing of John M. Janosko in 2005 and to meet the needs of his heirs, the property was sold to Gary Janosko. The building is now occupied by Roset Nursery.
Gary’s son Bryce is the current owner of Acme Sand. He has the help of his siblings Brandon and Baily and other family members. Building upon the knowledge and experience learned over the years, the Acme complex has become unique and complementary to the growing needs of our desert community.