By Mike Hazlip–
With nearly five decades in the printing business behind him, Bill Van Duker has stopped the presses at All Star Printing as he turns a page to a new chapter.
After running All Star Printing for decades, Van Duker is now helping fellow Citrus Heights businessman Uddhav “Gary” Giri open a Minuteman Press franchise location at 6232 Greenback Ln. Giri is using the equipment from All Star Printing under the new name and plans to continue Van Duker’s legacy in serving the community.
“Bill’s got an incredible legacy in Citrus Heights,” Giri said, noting that his previous business was also one he took over from a retiring owner. “They’re just very honest people that just want serve the community the best way they can.”
The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce recently honored Van Duker with awards and proclamations during a Sept. 17 luncheon. The print shop also won the 2024 Best of Citrus Heights Award at a ceremony on Sept. 19 in the category of Best Printing and Design Services.
The 88-year-old Van Duker said he was looking for a way to pass on the business after 46 years in printing when he started talking with Giri.
“I was very concerned about the customers with whom I had a relationship for five, 10, 15, in some cases 20 years, that they would continue to be cared for,” Van Duker said. “I feel very comfortable about transitioning the business because our business is a relationship business, not a transactional business.”
With a long history of doing business in Citrus Heights, Giri says the community feels like home to him.
“Citrus Heights has been an incredibly good city for me,” Giri said. “I really feel like this is my own village now because most of my adult life, I’ve been doing business here.”
With limited experience in the printing industry himself, Giri said Van Duker’s sons Andrew and Chris Van Duker are helping make the transition easier.
“They’re great people,” Giri said, adding that Van Duker’s sons have shown “amazing” dedication in helping make the transition “as smooth as possible.”
The move is a relief for Van Duker, who is also a colorectal cancer survivor. He said he doesn’t have the energy he once had to keep the business going.
“I was very concerned that I was going to run out of gas before we made the transition,” Van Duker said. “I feel very good. There’s a little bit of grief, of course.”
As for his retirement plans, Van Duker said he has a “number of interests” he wants to pursue, and that he won’t have any trouble staying busy.
His retirement is also a relief for his wife, Van Duker said.
“We hope to be able to take some short trips now. It’s been a while since we’ve done much traveling.”
Van Duker said he plans to stay as long as needed to help the new business get off the ground. After a few months, he hopes to cut back to four hours each day until he is able to phase out altogether.
Minuteman Press has over 900 stores globally, Giri said, and the franchise offers a full range of printing services, including pens, brochures and postcards, flyers, and apparel. The corporation’s website lists only one location in Citrus Heights, and three others in the greater Sacramento and Roseville areas. There are 90 locations listed throughout California.
All Star Printing was previously located at 7920 Alta Sunrise Drive.
Van Duker also has a long history of involvement in local government and has been called the “godfather” of Citrus Heights for his instrumental role in the effort to make Citrus Heights a city. Following the success of that effort in 1996, he later served eight years on the city’s Planning Commission, and one of his sons now serves as a commissioner today.
Read more in prior article: The story behind this influential little print shop in Citrus Heights
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