1817. I worked hard. When I first met Mr. Jay he asked if I was married and did we have children. Wayne Miller. The website offers an online store. Jays Foods, Inc., is an American manufacturer of snack products including potato chips, popcorn and pretzels. Thank you very much. Jays Foods manufactures, markets and distributes its products in the seven state area of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri. [This is likely the original Jays factory at 40th St. & Princeton Ave., c. late 1940s]. After some lost years roaming the earth, boxing all comers, and presumably teaching Shirley Temple how to dance, Leonard Japp re-emerged in the mid 1930s, ready to take another shot at the snack game. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1972 and Chairman of the Board in 1990. the store brands tasted horrible and I told my mom to only buy jays. Frank, 2017. line, available in three flavors. Vintage JAYS POTATO Chip Tin Box Blue White Americana Advertising Ad vertisement by VintageCurlyGirl. The brand is also referred to as Frito-Lay because both Lay's and Fritos are brands sold by the Frito-Lay company, which has been a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo since 1965.. Frito-Lay primarily uses the brand name "Lay's" in the United States, and . Jays was founded in the 1920s by Leonard Japp Sr., and was family owned until 1986,. I grew up in the neighborhood of the Jays plant. My email is crane699@yahoo.com if your interested email me. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Leonard Japp, Sr. began selling pretzels from a truck in 1927. Locations 1540 W 44th St Chicago, Illinois 60609, US Get directions . So, facing "an acute liquidity crisis," Jays in October filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in three years, along with a sister company, Select Snacks. They were a little overdone, slightly browned and so delicious! Find a jays potato chips near you today. Jays Potato Chips Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Snyder's of Hanover is the largest manufacturer and distributor of pretzels in the United States, and the global market leader in pretzel sales. That's not so for potato chips, even Jays: They're ubiquitous at supermarkets across the Chicago area. What a wonderful small world. 28 SNAP EBT eligible $3.39 ($0.42/ounce) When purchased online Especially the Sourdough Nibblers. After beating the odds and finding success as a Chicago snack merchant during the Depression, Japp had hit an unexpected snag in the road at the age of 35. Potato chips generally served as an appetizer, a side or a snack. 2022 CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY. I feel fortunate to have known Leonard Japp Sr. Thank you. All rights reserved. In the mid-90s, Jays fell once more into decline and finally went bankrupt in 2004. Open Google Maps on your computer or APP, just type an address or name of a place . [6], Jays Foods does not market its products nationally. Since 1927, Jays products have been a Chicago hometown favorite. Upon leaving he spent a moment admiring the collection of old grocery packaging displayed in my office. In an interview with a trade pub called Chipper Snacker in 1974, Japp said of his youthful days in Minnesota, I was probably the meanest kid in town, as well as the poorest. Get Jays Potato Chips delivered to you in as fast as 1 hour via Instacart or choose curbside or in-store pickup. Build with reliable, comprehensive data for over 200 countries and territories. Im 70 years old and have lived in Wausaukee, Peshtigo, and Marinette Wisconsin. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360 interactive panoramic views of streets (Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bicycle and air (in beta), or public transportation. Snyder's Lance Inc. Bill developed the original recipe for the Sourdough Hard Pretzel that is still enjoyed by consumers today. 1.Visualize the world with rich, accurate maps. Jays is a classic Chicago food brand, the sort of product Mayor Richard Daley stakes in friendly wagers to rival city mayors when Chicago sports teams compete in championship games. But I have to settle for visiting the Midwest an bringing some back with me, I was born and raised in Dolton Illinois from 1960 to 1972. The Bechtel Pretzel Company, founded in 1947 by Bill and Helen Bechtel, was purchased and incorporated into Snyders Bakery. Now more that 50 years later my collection of large snack / chip cans from the 30s,40s &50s includes Jays regular and butter popcorn plus both Japps and Jays Potato Chips. The business grew to feature a potato chip recipe made by Japps wife, Eugenia. for the 11 years. More Buying Choices $10.88 (3 new offers) Munchie Box Jay's Hot Stuff Potato Chips an Iconic Chicago Style taste (Pack of ( 12 ) 1.25 Oz Bags) 1.25 Ounce (Pack of 12) 110 There are several brands of potato chips. Jays is the ultimate classic potato chip Classic salted chips pair well with your favorite dips The perfect salty, crispy snack 10 ounce large bag of Jays chips is perfect for parties, picnics, and BBQs Specifications Contains: Does Not Contain Any of the 8 Major Allergens Dietary Needs: 0 Grams Saturated Fat, 0 Grams Trans Fat For over 75 years, Chicagoans have voraciously chomped away on handfuls of Jays Potato Chipssharing in the communal assumption that some guy named Jay must have invented the salty snack for them back in the proverbial day. Nobody makes a decent one anymore. Where did you purchase this product? 100 Breeds Hill Rd Hyannis, MA 02601 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Cape Wheels we deliver and pickup your rental's from your vacation home, Airbnb, hotel or wherever else you may be staying. Perhaps you visited Chicago and crave the best hotdogs on the planet. For as much as Jays emulated Lays in its marketing, it was never going to compete with them on the national stage. On cold January days like today, the wind would blow down plumes of white smoke with the sweet smell of freshly cooking potato chips onto the expressway, writes Park Ridge Yelper Mike O. about his unfaltering loyalty to Jays snack products. During the war years, a lot of Chicago food companies were starting to cannibalize one another to pool resources. Or even better, join a local guide program to share your favorite stores. As to whether the chips taste the samenostalgia seems to be a formula consistently difficult to replicate. In February 2015, Snyders of Hanover introduced Pretzel Poppers in 3 flavors. When they went broke, everyone went broke with them.. I hopped in the front seat and popped that bag open only to be disappointed!! The story on the internet did not describe how they broke up. It is now owned by Snyders and produces in small quantities, yet remains true to only selling in the Midwest. Before WWII they were called "Japs Potato Chips" They had a name change after Dec. 7, 1941. Product: Dr Paul's Jalapeno & Coriander Relish. 2023 2022 South Side Weekly. My wife and I got Dinner and Theater tickets to a place that was way west on 95th. As part of the deal, Snyder's is buying Jays' intellectual property, including its brands. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Talk about convenience! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Contact a location near you for products or services. I didnt know anything about potato chips., [An automatic potato chip making machine in operation, c. 1950s]. The new ingredients are: Potatoes, Canola Oil and/or Corn Oil, So what type of oil were they using in the 60s versus what they use later and maybe now, because it did not cut it. We had our money in the Casper State Bank. At the end, they would give you a lunch size bag of chips, a solo cup (also on the south side factory) of Pepsi and a Jays pencil. How can anybody forget when you drove by and saw the semi trucks tiped backwards emptying there loads on there dock .it was awesome. All rights reserved.. Espaol: Gua de recursos COVID-19 en el sur de Chicago, Chicago Youth Organize Townhall for Mayoral Candidates, Op-Ed: Chuy Garca Isnt Running as a Progressive This Mayoral Bid, Chicago Rapper 8MatikLogan Gives Himself A Second Chance, IRS Approves Federal Nonprofit Status for South Side Weekly NFP, Mayoral Debate was a Poor Night for Chicago, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. It took a couple of weeks, but we started putting tags on plain bags with the Jays name on it., And that, folks, is the origin story of the beloved Jays brand. They were great and we all loved eating them. My name is Gene Smid. Many years ago, at a demolition or repurposed building site, I came across a dusty old binder containing 14 black & white 810 photos of the Jays factory, its offices, personnel, etc., in rather good but dirty condition. I , too, could smell that delicious aroma, and see the Southeast side factory on the Lake. Find out for yourself, and discover your own favorite flavors. Utz Potato Chip Factory Tour 4.5 304 #1 of 4 Tours & Activities in Hanover Factory Tours Write a review See all photos About You can see and smell the making of the famous Utz Potato Chips and Snacks at our over 600,000 square foot facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Jays Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 11, 2007, the second time in four years,[5][6] and permanently closed its Chicago manufacturing plant on December 5, 2007. According to legend, it was Capone himself whod come back from a trip to Saratoga Springs, New Yorkbirthplace of the potato chipand personally requested that Japp bring more of the salty delights to Chicago. Low-end machine at minimum costs $500 while high-end machine costs can cost up-to $5000. When you follow the recipe you get crisps. These chips brought back so many memories of my childhood. Its a little sad that many people could have achieved no less success. You definitely knew you were in the Southeast because of Jays. Whether they reminisce about school field trips or the commute home, esteem for Leonard Japp or cravings for his potato chips, South Side residents have a special place in their hearts, and stomachs, for Jays. The trucks were chained down on the unloading ramp and the whole ramp lift up to unload the truck. This combination creates an industry leader with a broad product portfolio including iconic pretzel, sandwich cracker, and potato chip brands. We are not Jays Foods. I also remember the bun bakery for White Castles was near 99th st & Vincenes ave. As a 12yo I used to walk past it (what an aroma). Kathy Whelan Daly The first meal I ever cooked was a potato chip casserole, made with chips, cream of mushroom soup, tuna and peas. You'll also get a couple sample bags to take with you. We would always somehow find Jays potato chips. Former Jays Potato Chips factory at 99th & Cottage Grove. Depending on your sources and the enthusiasm of the storyteller, Japp supposedly spent time as a boilermaker, a bridge builder, a bouncer, a cemetery plot salesman, and a steeplejacka guy who spends his days scaling clock towers and church spires, Batman-style, doing repair work. From truck to bag, it takes a potato just 12 minutes to go the route. Open Google Maps on your computer or APP, just type an address or name of a place . jays potato chips factory locations. On a free tour, you'll see how the famous Cape Cod Chips are made. Yes, I remember Jays potato chips very will growing up in the Chicago suburbs of Brookfield, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, and finally Naperville Illinois. William Snyder, E. Wise and H. Ness joined together to create the Potato Chip Institute to improve communication among competing chippers. Remembered as a kind boss, he was said to have known everyone in his South Side factory by name, with employees remaining by his side for more than thirty years. Empower your customers with accurate, up-to-date information. Where was the Jays factory located near Root Street (41st) and what other street in Chicago around 1955? It was a tough life, but we made out., so we decided to buy an old broken down truck for five dollars down to sell pretzels, nuts, cigarettes, what they needed for sandwiches. DID YOU EVER MAKE ONE OR AM I IMAGINING IT? Of course they are gone now. "The public knows that where this Case is found, the well-known High Grade 'Boye' Needles, Shuttles and Bobbins can be secured." -Boye Needle Co. advertisement, 1909. Enter ZIP code or city, state as well. The chips were consequently rebranded to "Jays Potato Chips" to avoid the sound-alike name, and the company became Jays Foods, Inc. Jays Foods remained a family-owned company until 1986, when the company was sold to Borden, Inc. Jays Foods filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 11, 2007, the second time in four years, and permanently closed . Always thinking about Jays to have some. And because Google Maps reroutes based on real-time traffic, drivers can complete trips faster and get more rides in. Kathy Gazarek.