Friday, May 23, 2014

Cutest Matchbook EVER

Come on, kids!  Hop in the car!  We're going on a road trip to search for the cutest matchbook EVER.   And, if we're lucky, it will have a petting zoo, pony cart rides, a candy shop, AND a toy shop, for a full day of family fun.

Here's the place, Honey Bear Farm, at the shore of Powers Lake, Wisconsin.  Once a bucolic family farm, it was purchased by Julia Kraft, founder of Mrs. Steven's Candies, in 1953.  The original farm buildings were converted into shops and a restaurant, featuring "grandma-style" cooking with signature menu items: honey bread and honey salad dressing.   The Honey Bear mascot appeared on mugs, T-shirts, and other gift items.

After nearly 20 successful years, the 18-acre spread was sold to Carson Pirie  Scott, better known as the big Chicago department store founded in 1858.
Of course, changes were made and not always for the better, then the popular restaurant burned down in 1977.  Even though it was re-built, business continued to falter and the whole operation eventually was shuttered.

The farm where Honey Bear and the children of Wisconsin used to frolic and play is no more.  The only trace of what used to be is a place on the lake called "Honey Bear Bay".

Matchbook Circa 1974

The Inside Story: Honey Bear Beckons You   Spend a dozy day of leisure at Honey Bear Farm.  18 acres of rolling meadows on the shore of Powers Lake.  Fun for the whole family...pony-cart rides to penny candy for the kids...luncheon (or dinner) like grandmother used to serve...gift cottages filled to brimming with home-made bread and pastries, hostess whimsies, countrified casual-wear and more.  Carson Pirie Scott & Co. credit cards honored.

2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have that book and now we know the rest of the story...

    ReplyDelete