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An Assortment of Hometown Originals
First in a series by Mary K. Morgan
Switzer’s Licorice
In 2005, Joseph and Michael Switzer, the twin grandsons of the Switzer Licorice founder decided to start producing the popular candy once again. The rest is history. The dynamic duo is now manufacturing and aggressively marketing the tasty Switzer treats. From all indications the brand is as popular in the 21st century as it was in the nineteenth century when their grandfather sold the candy on the streets of what is now Laclede’s Landing. The old Switzer’s Building may be gone, but the St. Louis product lives on to be enjoyed by all. In addition to the standard black licorice, the new offerings include: cherry, green apple, cinnamon, blue raspberry and lemonade flavors. Yum!
Vess Soda: The Billion Bubble Beverage
Founded in 1916, this St. Louis favorite is known for its wide variety of flavors and reasonable price. One of its most famous flavors, the orange soda, sports its own name, Whistle®. Of course there are the standards: cola, lemon-lime (Vess-Up) and root beer, —but have you tried a Vess Blueberry, Pineapple or Strawberry Kiwi soda lately? Go ahead, think outside of the bottle.
And speaking of bottles, the giant 12-foot (plus the pole) bottle of Vess Lemon Lime that used to be at the intersection of Hampton and Gravois Avenues, now towers over the old warehouse district just north of downtown, in a neighborhood known as “the bottle district.” No longer in its neon glory, the landmark bottle is in line for restoration.
Thomas Coffee
Ask anyone around town which coffee company has a little Scotty dog for a logo, and most will reply, “Thomas Coffee.” A hometown favorite, Thomas coffee is a blend of five different types of beans. Over 3000 beans go into producing just one pound of this specialty coffee, and those beans are roasted daily in St. Louis.
And if you prefer tea, Thomas has a delightful blend of imported orange pekoe and black tea. And, yes, the Scottie is on the box.
The Charleville family has owned Thomas Coffee since 1984, and is currently under the leadership of Thomas Charleville. It looks like business is booming because brand awareness and distribution is rapidly growing. A city once known primarily for its beer is branching out to other beverages.
Hostess Twinkies
For more than 75 years, Twinkies have been tempting us with their golden sponge cake outside and creamy filling. Handy to eat, reasonably priced, easy to find, this treat has achieved celebrity status. No longer strictly a local secret, the Twinkie is a national favorite. Still made at the Hostess bakery on North Broadway, this “Made in St. Louis” favorite has quite a following. President Bill Clinton put one in a time capsule. Photographers have done entire shows of them. Chefs have created specialties with these tantalizing treats — examples include, Twinkie-Misu, Twinkie sushi and deep-fried Twinkies. Rumor has it that there has even been a Twinkie wedding cake, but that might just be an urban legend.
St. Louis Gooey
Butter Cake
Of course this standard favorite can still be found in a few commercial bakeries around town, such as the popular Lubeley’s on Watson Road near Laclede Station Road. But if you would like to make it at home, here’s a simple recipe for this St. Louis favorite, courtesy of Judy Schulman.
Gooey Butter Cake
Crust:
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1 stick butter
Topping:
8 oz. package cream cheese
2 eggs
1 lb. powdered sugar (reserve 3 Tbsp.
for the finished cake)
Blend cake mix, butter and two eggs. Press batter into a 13’x9’ pan. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour evenly over the crust. Bake
for about 35 minutes at 325 degrees. Sprinkle the reserved powdered sugar over warm cake. Enjoy with friends and cup after cup of Thomas Coffee!
Tums for the TUMMY
You’ve passed the art-deco factory downtown for years, and you’ve read the large, vertical sign, but do you ever stop and consider how many stomach upsets have been soothed by the chalky tablets produced behind those black, onyx-tiled walls? Now owned by GlaxoSmithKline, this popular antacid originated here and the factory was a very popular field trip for school children. There’s just something fascinating about watching all of those little tablets pop off the assembly line. What a gas!
Keep reading Java Journal® for such hometown specialties such as Edmond’s Chili, Volpi’s salami, Arcobasso salad dressings, Bissinger’s candies and Dad’s cookies.
Bon Appitite
St. Louis!
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