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On February 25, 1914, the first Tastykake factory pumped out 100 cakes on Sedgley Avenue in Germantown. Phillip Baur, whose father had recently sold the Bauer Brothers Bakery in Pittsburgh, teamed up with an egg salesman from Boston, Herbert Morris, with the idea that they’d bake and deliver fresh, individually wrapped cakes. One hundred years later, Tastykake pumps out nearly five million cakes, donuts, cookies and pies daily.
In 2010, Tastykake moved into a 345,000 square-foot bakery in The Philadelphia Navy Yard, 4300 S. 26th St. And this was the site for the celebration of a century of Krimpets and Kandy Kakes. The City of Philadelphia declared the day “Tastykake Day,” and the company honored the occasion by “Kaking Over” their hometown by way of 100 deliveries to local charities and first responders throughout the city, including City Hall, Red Cross, Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St., and fire and police officers. Kirby the Krimpet was on hand to assist.
It was in ’11 that Tastykake merged with Georgia’s Flowers Foods and made its first strides into national consumption.
“That has made us stronger to make sure that we’re here for another decade and become a national brand,” Paul Ridder, the company’s president, said.
He requested a warm round of applause for the employees who bake, wrap and ship treats on a daily basis: “To the thousands of hard-working men and women who are dedicated to baking and delivering our products.”
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley was present to speak on behalf of Gov. Tom Corbett.
“For a kid from Philly, this is really a special day, and I get to be a part of this wonderful celebration,” Cawley told the crowd in the company’s modern new factory entrance.
He found a bit of patriotic pride in the company’s success: [Baur and Morris] were just two Americans who had a dream.”
In his place, 2nd District City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson sent Roi Ligon Jr., his legislative assistant, to present a citation from the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
“We congratulate their anniversary and extend to all involved the sincere respect and admiration of the legislative body,” Ligon read.
Contact Staff Writer Bill Chenevert at bchenevert@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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