Claim: John Vella started his business with one store, he wanted it to sell only Raiders gear.
Evidence: In 1987, Vella started his business, originally called "John Vella's Raider Locker Room", with one store in Castro Valley, California. The idea was for a retail store that sold only Raiders gear, novelties and collectibles, and catered to the die-hard fan that he remembered from his playing days.