Saturday, December 08, 2007

Humble beginnings

Along Cincinnati Street in San Antonio is an old, unassuming house. There's nothing particularly remarkable about it now.

















But apparently this house used to be the home of the Blue Bonnet Potato Chip Company, once owned by Walter Oertling.


















The Blue Bonnet Potato Chip Company is now called Jell-Craft, and it is a maker of punches, syrups, and mixers. But the company still proudly acknowledges its humble beginnings in San Antonio, and it displays on its Web site a picture of the interior of that house on Cincinnati Street.

















Nice.

8 comments:

AlanDP said...

I read the water meters in that area last month. I was wondering about that old, faded sign.

Albatross said...

Yeah, I've been seeing that sign for years now and wondering what ever became of the Blue Bonnet Potato Chip Company. Today, I finally got around to looking it up. It's neat that Jell-Craft has a picture of the inside of the house on their Web site. A little serendipitous, I think.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Neat. I also noticed that you posted a warning about lead filled mexican candy AND an article about Seymour Perkins. I have been following these stories closely.

Albatross said...

Perkins is definitely a story to keep track of. There is just so much interesting stuff there!

Anonymous said...

We appreciate the mentioning of Jell-Craft on your blog. My wife and I now own the label. She is related to the founder's family.

We are proud of the 60+ year history of the company and the memories people have of the location on Cincinnati.

Because of the building's condition, we had to move several years ago. We now have incorporated under the name of Son Beverage Company and are located near Loop 410 and Fredericksburg Road.

You can contact us via email at info@jell-craft.com

Albatross said...

I wish Jell-Craft many years of business bliss. Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Interested in Oertling part of this story that is my surname and was wondering if there is a connection. hale from new Orleans

Albatross said...

Anonymous 9:41 a.m., you might try that e-mail address anonymous 6:44 a.m. left (info@jell-craft.com). It seems that commenter is related to the Oertlings, and he might be able to give you some information.