Colorful local landmark changes direction
by Kathleen Stinson

NEW RIVER – The owner of New River landmark Jackass Acres is stepping aside and giving a younger man a chance to chase his dreams.

“What is Jackass Acres?” you say. If you have to ask that question, you’re a relative newcomer to the North Valley.

In 1981, Joe Airdo leased a small gas station at the New River Road exit off I‑17. Jackass Acres station, then owned by Cleo and Evelyn Walton, had the only gasoline pumps between Deer Valley Road and Black Canyon City. That station was the first Jackass Acres. In 1999, when the station closed, Airdo opened his own Jackass Acres nearby.

The story of how the original station got it’s name, according to Airdo: Cleo came up with the name when, one day, he looked at Evelyn and said, “I feel just like that jackass,” pointing to the four‑legged variety standing nearby. Evelyn responded, “You hit on a good name for this (place), Cleo.”

The small, circa 1970s‑style station had four gas pumps. When Airdo and his wife Pamela took it over, they also sold cold sandwiches, some antiques, and had a microwave to heat the sandwiches.

Gas sold for 56 cents a gallon in 1981, by the way.

“Everybody knows Jackass Acres,” Airdo says. “When there was nothing here, there was Jackass Acres. That was before the stores were out here (far North Valley). There was no water between Deer Valley Road and me.

“I was one busy rascal for a time,” he added.

Airdo is something of a landmark himself – or at least an original. Although he will tell you he has no doubt he made the right decision when he left his Chicago print shop in 1976 to move to New River, “A guy can only have so much fun,” he said jokingly.

Airdo, 59, is leasing his present antique store and Jackass Acres property to a younger man who plans to operate a tour business, complete with kosher picnic luncheons. Airdo plans to stay as groundskeeper, but spend a lot of time visiting with friends he’s made over all these years.

Asked how he liked running the small gas station seven days a week for almost 20 years, Airdo said, “(The best thing was) just meeting all the incredibly nice people from all over – make that all over the world.

“I’m closing the Jackass Acres store because I want to do some other stuff,” he continued. “I’m leasing it to some young blood with big plans, just like I had when I came out here. I’m going to just do what I want.”

His property, south of New River Road along the I‑17 Frontage Road (Old Black Canyon Highway), is unmistakable when driving by. On the property you’ll find the antique store Airdo and his friends built, his two rottweilers, circa 1927‑1946 gasoline pumps, a 1946 Flexible Flyer bus and an assortment of other collectibles.

A taco bar used in the Charlie Sheen movie “Beyond the Law” is just part of the memorabilia. Airdo’s movie connections stem from a very good idea he had when leasing the first Jackass Acres: He decided to go down to Phoenix and register the place with the film commission.

“Before you know it, I was getting offers,” he said.

“Jackass Acres has done everything from a porn movie, ‘Gurdle Gulch,’ to a Christian rock video starring Petra. And the place has been on ‘America’s Most Wanted.’”

His place has also been the set for several commercials, including Adidas, Volkswagen, Cadillac and State Farm, he related.

Airdo has met several celebrities through his business.

He tells of one day at the gas station, while watching the “Andy Griffith Show,” a guy walked in and said, “What’s your favorite TV Show?” And the guy takes off his hat and it was Otis (from the show).

“Pee‑wee Herman and the guy who shouted, ‘It’s the plane!

It’s the plane!’ (Herve Villechaize of “Fantasy Island”)  – neat characters (I’ve met). This place is aptly named Jackass Acres,” Airdo said.

In addition, photo shoots for calendars have been done on the property, he notes, pointing to a curvy blond in a photo on the wall next to one of actor Charlie Sheen. 

Airdo is still holding his closing sale in the store. But don’t try to buy one of the old gas pumps. “I’m keeping some stuff,” he said.

The monthly neighborhood meetings with County Supervisor Andy Kunasek will still be held at Jackass Acres.