HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-09-24, Page 13Page 12
Times -Advocate, September 24; 1997
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Darling's fQodlapdwrks, 50 years
hough Darling's Foodland has come a long way in its
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it 50 years, -one thing hasn't changed — the commitment
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to providing the best -food and service to its customers_
_ iat the best prices. ,
Jim. and Jeff Darling, the oldest and youngest -of the Exeter
Darling .brothers, own and operate the Exeterand Lucan Foodland
stores that,bear their name. They're celebrating the company's 50th
anniversary with a two-week super_sale starting Sept. 21. •
"There'll' be bargains galore all -throughout the stores;' Jfm said:
r-TheDarling's Foodland story begins in 1947 when-Jim's.and.
Jeff's dad, Fred,.opened his first store on_Exeter's Main Street with
his partner, Bill Chambers, The two bought the butcher shop, along
with 13 acres -c4 land where Joe Darling (Jeff's next oldest brother)
lives now and a 100 -acre farm on Hwy. 83, from Harp Rivers.
The $5,500 deal had a major kink though — Fred and Bill could_
come up with only $500 between them since they had just come
back from military service during the Second World .War. They
were bailed out by Harp's.wife, Helen, of all people, whd lent theme
the other $5,000.
'That's beautiful,_Lthink,".Jim said with a smile and a chuckle.
"Herholding the mortgage on her -husband's former busiheSs."
Fred and Bill dissolved their partnership in 1955, Fred getting the
grocery store/butcher-shop and_ the. 13' acres and Bill getting the 100
acre farm.
"Dad wanted to expand," Jim said, explainingthe amicable -
parting of the business ways. -It was a good partnership but they
knew they had to split." ` - " •
in late '55 came the grocery store'; first major'reiiovation.'Fred-
also started flying the [GA flag, one they flew under until '85 when
the Darlings chose to go independent up until '95 whenthev.chose
to go with Foodland.
In '58 Fred- moved: the store -to where the current store's parking
lot is, expanding the.available space by 400 per --
',Fred paved -the way for -•future expansion by buying -the old
Canada Packers chicken processing pla.-.t where part of the store is
now in '59 -and the old -theatre two dor.rs .down in '61. Fred
swapped the theatre. with Lou McKerlie for the former McKerlie-
Millen building next. to'the food store " pver a. couple of beers a. rd
handshake,; -Jim said. Both the chicken - plant and_ the .McKerlie-.,:
Millen.building were demolished to makeway for a bigger and
better. Darling food store in `65.
The Lucan food store located=at 189 Main St. was opened in '61;.
Jeff said; with renovations/expansion' work there -pushing the store
from 4,500 squarefeet*1o7200square feet in '75. •
The Darlings' famous abattoir and meat packing plant was built
in '72:at103 Alexander --St. W. Having their own.beef 'and -pork .
processing plant makes- Darling's Foodland special, Jim said, since -
all other area grocery stores offer 'boxed meat' processed .
somewhere else. Darling's 'swinging.meat' ensures its customers
get the best meat available, aged to _perfection.
Standing in the -meat processing plant. coolers, Jim pointed out
this is where "the`guts of the operation;'
Cjntin:ued-on next page .
:•
ci
isurais
to Darling's Foodland on your 50th Anniversary
Wishing you continued success in the future
HURON MOTOR PRODUCTS
640 Main St.. Exeter Ont.
.:
:
zgrntuIatovM
to Darling • Foodland. .411 the best in years -to come
From
Small Fry Snack Foods
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•
Dint Mass
To
Darling's Foodland on your 50th Anniversary
ALDELTA CQOLI'\G
REFRIGERATION • AIR CONDITIONING
COMMERCIAL • FARM • RESIDENTIAL
R.R. 2, Grand Bend and London
• _ 1,800-Fz ,6-2388
:.
CONGRATULATIONS
215 Pickard Road,
Exeter
235-2808
FROM
FARM SUPPLIES INC.
Woodham
229-8000
PURINA CHOWS
•
••
••.
Best wishes
on your 50th anniversary
j; We wish you continued success in serving ; ;
;»Exeter and Area for
(-> many years to come-)
l
prilDavis Moore Fuels Ltd.
Petro -Canada Wholesale Marketer
315 Main St. N. Exeter
PETROQUIADA ® 235-0853
.. N