Michael George, a widower originally from Lebanon, Syria, brought his four children, Mamie, Tom, Joe and Gus, from Rhode Island to Douglas, Alaska, on May 12, 1912. He purchased half interest in George Meyers General Merchandising on Beach Road below St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas and employed his children there as they grew up. Later he sold his interest in that business and opened his own general merchandising store. He also owned half interest in the Leader Dept. Store across the Channel in Juneau, in partnership with Alex Soucair. In 1921 sold his Douglas business and purchased Soucair’s interest in the Juneau department store to which he devoted his time. In 1923, Michael George and his second wife left Alaska and sold the department store to the three sons. With financial assistance from their father, they turned the business into George Brothers Exclusive Grocery Store, adding retail liquor sales in 1935. Gus sold his share to Tom and Joe during World War II, who continued with a liquor business at the George Brothers' Building in downtown Juneau.

In 1947, Tom and Joe George built the Salmon Creek Country Club, a popular dining and dancing location that was destroyed by fire 1949 with inadequate insurance to rebuild. Tom and Joe subdivided the downtown building and Joe and his wife, Thelma Turnblow George, opened George's Gift Shop and sold Alaskan products, photographs and souvenirs from 1949 until 1974. Joseph George served on the Juneau city council and as mayor from 1967 to 1969. He died in July 1975 at the age of 73.