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Tim Paske posted
Salerno cookie Factory, 4500 w. Division. Oh, those butter cookies, couldn't eat just one ! The former Salerno Cookie Factory, home of that familiar and delicious butter cookie, at 4500 W. Division, an orange-rated building, has apparently been cleared for demolition, despite the fact that it is a rare example of famed architect Harold Zook in an industrial context. |
Adrian LaTrace Jr.'s
posting of a
link had many comments. A couple of comments provides pictures after the first day of destruction. They won't be using the Art Deco entrance way somewhere else.
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| Mary Kobialka |
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| Joe Kus |
You could tell by the curvature of the building on the west side that this building used to be rail served. In fact, I think we have seen this building before in satellite views. But I can't remember which posting that was in.
Sad. I came across this article as I searched the Salerno history, it sort of ends with Alyce who died at 71 in 1985. From what I can see, she had no heirs. They were a multi million dollar company -with so much Chicago history, and just ceased to exist after her death, of course not right away the Salerno Cookie company was reformed and reorganised and sold several times. I was curious to look them up when we bought a box of mixed junk with what seemed to be quite a few hand written and typed recipes mixed in with some other obscur items. The recipes are original Salerno recipes, and they are all there Jingles, Saltines,Fig bars, butter cookie and more. It seems to be a pretty complete collection of this history of the company. Sadly, I could find nobody who wanted them. Not suitable for home use, the recipes are hundreds of pounds of ingredients. Just curious, I will find a use for these pencil and typed written pieces of history. If I was able, I would post some pictures but this window does not offer that option. Melinda Rhodes
ReplyDeleteHello Melinda. I am very interested in learning some information about the Salerno business if you are interested in helping I would love to her from you. Thank you.
DeleteYour request went to spam. I can be reached at Eyeice4u@gmail.com. Melinda
DeleteHi Melinda!
DeleteThe Salerno cookie factory is a branch off of my family. They were my grandfather's God parents and at some point my grandmother worked there with them.
Just wondering if you still have the box laying around?
Hi - I loved Salerno cookies growing up and I could swear they make a chocolate chip cookie in a brown box in the late 70s/early 80s but no one believes me. Do you happen to know if they did and what they were called (and maybe have a pic of the old box)? I just want to know if I imagined it lol. You can reach me at dena_schmidt@yahoo.com. Thanks!
DeleteI just visited the family cemetery plot at all saints desplaines . Chek out YouTube channel land cruiser Midwest
DeleteAnyone attached to this company may contact me. Melinda Rhodes
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda, I'm very interested in getting some information on this company and pictures if you have them.
DeleteHow can I contact you?
DeleteI am just receiving your request which went to spam.I can be reached at Eyeice4u@gmail.com. Melinda
DeleteDoes anyone have a picture of the new Salerno butter cookie factory in Niles
DeleteHi Melinda, I would be interested if you still have those recipes? I am actually in the process of starting a cookie company. I’m am just searching for a larger facility. If you still have them could you send me an email? Thanks so much,
ReplyDelete-Steve
Hi there, I am just getting your email from April - it went to spam.I can actually provide the formulas. You are a brave soul, I was a commercial cake decorator for 30yrs. Not an easy job. Respond to Eyeice4u@gmail.com . Melinda
DeleteHello Melvindale do you still have those formulas I would love to get a copy of them. I love these cookies and I am from chicago. Is this possible if so please contact me at pamelalock@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am a Salerno, I don't believe i am related to this family, but would love to see the recipes, or if in your find there are any advertising items with Salerno on them
ReplyDeleteI’m from Chicago born and raised
ReplyDeleteI loved those cookies and I’ve never tasted any better I mean never
I do hope someone continues this fantastic recipe I’d pay 20.00 a box that’s the original box size
Please someone carry on the baking of this one of a kind brand
Thank You
Woodman's has them.
DeleteMy mom worked there in chicago
Deletehi Melinda
ReplyDeleteFred Salerno was my grandfather. I would be very interested in anything you had. I have been collecting for years. I would be happy to share stories with anyone invested. It was such a magical place.
I have e mailed you
Hi Deeisme,
DeleteMy great grandfather was Roger C Sullivan owner of Sawyer Biscuit. Our family lore was that Fred worked for Sullivan at Sawyer. Have you heard of any history along those lines? My Dad worked at Salerno his whole life and we have a very cool solid brass cookie die roller for the frosted animal cookies! Alyce's mint cream patties were my favorite however.
My father worked at Salerno for 48 years. At both locations. His name is Frank Leuzzi.
DeleteHi there, Deeisme!
DeleteI happened to come across this blog post while going down a rabbit hole trying to find any sort of website or anything really that explains why the Santa's Favorites Almond Crescents were discontinued. I've been looking into this on and off for years since they stopped being sold at stores but have not been able to find out anything. My grandma and I use to get a box and eat them together every single Christmas and just yesterday she called me and brought them up out of nowhere saying how she misses them and our tradition. I was trying to find some sort of copycat recipe for the original Salerno's version, but I just don't think any of them will come close.
I'm not sure if recipes were known in the family, however, if you did know the Almond Crescents recipe and were willing to share it with me so I could surprise my grandma with them for Christmas this year, that would be so kind and unbelievably thoughtful. I wouldn't share it with anyone else, it would just be a nice memory for my grandma as she's unfortunately getting older. Please let me know if this is at all possible and if not, please do not worry about it. I would completely understand! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you have a very happy holiday season with you and your family!
Kali Reboletti
Hi Deeisme-
ReplyDelete“Louie” ( Dominic) Perrelli was my grandfather
My understanding is that he and Fred originally worked at Nabisco, and left to start the Salerno Biscuit Company, with Mr Megowen who left a short time later.
As a child, I visited the building on Division St & ate in the cafeteria. When my grandfather retired, he was in charge of Baking and Chocolate—I was told. Fred would send each employee a turkey for Christmas, and we got boxes of Salerno butter cookies, too.
The placard on the outside door had the names of each employee on it. With few exceptions —for Irish—all the names were Italian.
I’d be interested in any of the very early history of the company— how it got started, who was Mr Megowen, did the Salerno’s come from Salerno ( my grandfather came from Cosenza, emigrated at age 14 with his 16 yo brother
Thanks
Vince perrelli
To Vince Perrelli: according to Find a grave, Fred Salerno was from San Fili, province of Cosenza, in Calabria, Italy, born in 1877. The building was built in 1933, when he was well over 50; that age, and the size of the Factory tell that: 1) he must have been already quite affluent to build it; 2) so probably he had been working in the business for decades already.
DeleteYes it was a family business, owners were from San Fili (Cosenza). They employed mainly Italians from that area. The newer and larger plant was on Lehigh in Niles. My father worked there for many years as a lift truck operator and also brought in the labor Union. I remember the owners names George and Alice, do not recall if they had children. The company was sold multiple times
DeleteAs of August 2021, Google Earth shows the location as a very run down auto wrecking yard. I found your site as I ate a few knock-off S-L Snacks National LLC "Santa's Favorite" cookies. Not even close to "Jingles", but it's what you've got today. S-L stands for Snyder's Lance, of pretzel and "Tom's Machine" fame. Now that this whole shebang is owned by Campbell's Soup, you might think they would make something a little more like the originals. If those recipes are still around, you might want to try and contact them. Would they listen?? NAH! But, Jewel Food Stores still stock "Salerno Santa's Favorites" cookies every year. And, every year I still buy about 6 boxes. So, who is the fool? (<-:)
ReplyDeleteMy father was born in 1927. His first job (in Cedar Rapids, IA) was assisting a regional Salerno territory sales representative in stocking, selling and maintaining Salerno display cases in department stores.
ReplyDeleteMommy…
ReplyDeleteWhat is it dear?
I want a Salerno Butter Cookie!
Mommy…..
I heard you dear,Salerno Butter Cookie!!
I’m 71 years old and I still remember that jingle on the TV commercial when I was a kid in Wilmette IL in the ‘50s. Yes the cookies were amazing
Oh my gosh, I so desperately want the Coconut Bar Cookies recipe!
ReplyDelete