Benjaman - Work Related Thread

[Cubby]

Excellent on the Azar's finds Rose! Hopefully one of them will recognize Mr. Kyle!
:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[RhythmicSun]

This is very encouraging! High Five!

 

[Cubby]

I just did a search and both Stanley and his wife are deceased. Haven't found any children for them.... but interestingly a search of their name listed a donation made in their memory- the couple who made the donation are both deceased as well. (But from the Ft. Wayne area)

Would be interesting to find anyone who knew either couple to see if any of them know Mr. Kyle...... hmmmm.........

The Ft. Wayne connection is interesting, because it was within the territory of the paper company I used to work for.... I just can't remember who our salesman was for that area..... Got some thinking to do.

 

[Roselvr]

I spent the last 2 days doing more reading of posts here as I see there are a few I missed. I came across that post and figured it wouldn't hurt to bring it here.

Last week when I was reading there was more detailed info about the restaurants. If you do a keyword search in this section you should find it. The post was very detailed about Azar's and the other Denver restaurants mentioned.

My eyes are bugging out from 2 days of reading. As soon as my files copy from the Mac to this computer I'm going to start working on some fliers.

edit - also found this if you click the blue icon it takes you to the post I got it from - there is more talk of Denver, etc in it. can be used as search reference

one more thing I found


Denver Post - NewsBank[SIZE=-1] - May 14, 1994[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]The last Azar's Big Boy outlet in Colorado closed two years ago. [/SIZE]

so the last Big Boy he could have possibly been in, in Denver is 1992.

 

[Cubby]

Another of Mr. Kyles memories included the Normandy restaurant. I found ( and can't find again ) an article written by Dina Berta about the following book which mentions the Normandy. I'm wondering if this book could provide some additional leads. Off to search the darn article again.

Tastefully Yours: Savoring Denver's Restaurant Past
by Pierre Wolfe
avg rating 0.0 — 0 ratings — published 2003



Can someone help by adding the link to this article please, I have computer problems and can't see the links to add them.
Veteran restaurateur serves up memories in new book (title of article- written by Dina Berta)

When he first came to Denver, Wolfe got a job as a night chef at the Brown Palace Hotel and was promoted to sous chef and later chef of the hotel's fine-dining restaurant, the Palace Arms. He later became the chef and then owner of the Patio in Littleton, and he partnered with his cousin, Heinz Gerstle, to open the Normandy. In 1960 he opened the Quorum, where he was known for cooking Steak Diana tableside to the delight of customers.

Well, I guess Pierre Wolfe was the chef and then owner of the Normandy.

 

[Cubby]

Hmmmm. I wonder if Mr. Kyle ever met Pierre Wolfe. Interesting guy this Pierre Wolfe... found info on him doing a radio show, as a guest chef on luxury cruises... Now if Mr. Kyle can tell us he met Mr. Pierre Wolfe, perhaps it would be worth trying to find Pierre and we can hope the french chef remembers his name. (praying)

 

[Cubby]

hmmmm.... the chef has a site pierrewolfe.com

 

[dreamweaver]

Wow. This thread has been so busy.
Nice work.
I got a cryptic email from my son, who owns restaurants.
He says they get their flatware from their distributor, fsa.
Now, I cannot find just fsa online.
And I cannot call my son at this time, right in the middle
of the very busy Sat. night dinner rush.
So, will be tomorrow before I have a definitive answer.

 

[carolwood]

This is information i have from folks in Denver on Topix:

Azar's Big Boy- info from post-
1. At about Birch and Colfax in Denver.
2. Great food for kid in a typical 70's restaurant lay out much like Denny's of Villiage Inn.
3.It might have been closer to Colorado on Colfax. At the corner was a gas station. so maybe Ash or Albion.
4. Had a breakfast buffet on Sunday morning.
5. Azar's used a mascot from "Bob's Big Boy, in CA.
6. www.bigboy.com/history1.asp
7. Bob's Big Boy is still around in Arizona and California

Whitespot - info from topix posts-
1. It being further west on Colfax.
2. In the mid to late 70's, service was pretty good, don't remember a buffet. Same style as Denny's and Villiage Inn, counter and dining area.
3. People called them coffee shops back then but definately restaurant aspect.
4. Goodberry's on Old Wadsworth & Grandview may have had a Whitespot back in the day.

Sambo's - info from topix-
1. The building that had several restaurants is probably the Yum Yum Tree on South Colorado Blvd. in Glendale. There was Chinese, German, Italian, Mexican and a burger place and gone by the 80's.

Sorry, I posted this on the wrong thread. Where would you all like me to post this?

 

[clemsongrad]

I just wanted to let you know that I am so impressed by everyone's sleuthing. I know that many of you have put in many hours trying to help Mr. Kyle. He is very lucky that so many people care about him and want to help him discover his true identity. This is probably the most fascinating case on Websleuths to me. I check it daily to see if there have been any updates. It is so hard to imagine that Benjaman Kyle has not been recognized by anyone yet. It is incredibly sad, and I cannot fathom being in his position. Hopefully, everyone's hard work will pay off one day very soon. It sounds like you are on the right track. Keep up the great work! I don't posts often so I hope that it is OK that I posted here. I am not an expert on where to post and not to post.

 

[Cubby]

Wow. This thread has been so busy.
Nice work.
I got a cryptic email from my son, who owns restaurants.
He says they get their flatware from their distributor, fsa.
Now, I cannot find just fsa online.
And I cannot call my son at this time, right in the middle
of the very busy Sat. night dinner rush.
So, will be tomorrow before I have a definitive answer.

I think FSA might be Food Services of America. Looking at their site I haven't found flatware listed.

 

[Cubby]

This is information i have from folks in Denver on Topix:

Azar's Big Boy- info from post-
1. At about Birch and Colfax in Denver.
2. Great food for kid in a typical 70's restaurant lay out much like Denny's of Villiage Inn.
3.It might have been closer to Colorado on Colfax. At the corner was a gas station. so maybe Ash or Albion.
4. Had a breakfast buffet on Sunday morning.
5. Azar's used a mascot from "Bob's Big Boy, in CA.
6. www.bigboy.com/history1.asp
7. Bob's Big Boy is still around in Arizona and California

Whitespot - info from topix posts-
1. It being further west on Colfax.
2. In the mid to late 70's, service was pretty good, don't remember a buffet. Same style as Denny's and Villiage Inn, counter and dining area.
3. People called them coffee shops back then but definately restaurant aspect.
4. Goodberry's on Old Wadsworth & Grandview may have had a Whitespot back in the day.

Sambo's - info from topix-
1. The building that had several restaurants is probably the Yum Yum Tree on South Colorado Blvd. in Glendale. There was Chinese, German, Italian, Mexican and a burger place and gone by the 80's.

Sorry, I posted this on the wrong thread. Where would you all like me to post this?

Carolwood, I think this is ok to leave here as a refresher. jmo

 

[Roselvr]

I think FSA might be Food Services of America. Looking at their site I haven't found flatware listed.

Food Services of America

catalog

 

[Cubby]

Foodservices of America doesn't include Colorado as one of the states in their current market. That doesn't mean they've never included Colorado in their market. Dreamwever, can you ask your son to find out from his FSA sales rep if the company ever included the Denver area in their market, and if so about what years?

TY!

ETA: FSA is currently a member of an alliance of foodservice distributors across the US and in Western Canada. According to this foodservice alliance, Shamrock Foods services the denver area and has been in business since the early 1920's.

 

[Cubby]

If anyone is still following this work related thread, I have some kinda good news. I left a message for two top execs and a mgr with a well known redistributor who has been in the bus for several decades( 60's or earlier) and amazingly I got a call back from one. The top execs of this co are well known with the NRA and I am hoping to get Mr. Kyle some exposure as well as hopefully make some contacts or reacquaint with some contacts in the business. I do know this particular re-de had a 20+ year seasoned vet who worked the Indiana market for 20-30 years until 90-91 or so and I am hoping to get his name. I remember his first name, but not his last name. Hoping I can get some Colorado and Indiana sales reps by calling on some old contacts.

I don't want to say too much until I have more info, but I am thrilled to get a call back from someone I have not been in contact with for about 12 years. Keep your fingers crossed!

Will update with more when I can.

 

[dreamweaver]

If anyone is still following this work related thread, I have some kinda good news. I left a message for two top execs and a mgr with a well known redistributor who has been in the bus for several decades( 60's or earlier) and amazingly I got a call back from one. The top execs of this co are well known with the NRA and I am hoping to get Mr. Kyle some exposure as well as hopefully make some contacts or reacquaint with some contacts in the business. I do know this particular re-de had a 20+ year seasoned vet who worked the Indiana market for 20-30 years until 90-91 or so and I am hoping to get his name. I remember his first name, but not his last name. Hoping I can get some Colorado and Indiana sales reps by calling on some old contacts.

I don't want to say too much until I have more info, but I am thrilled to get a call back from someone I have not been in contact with for about 12 years. Keep your fingers crossed!

Will update with more when I can.

----------------------------------------------------------
YAY.
:clap:

 

[believe09]

Hi, all-

I received an email from him today...he told me he was working his way through the threads which is a little overwhelming, lol.

Here is the text of it:
"Nobel was the biggest(then a subsidiary of Sysco.(Big company both food and equipment)
There was another just off of north Pecos( about 54 avenue?) I do not remember their name but they latter became part of Kraft I think.(Mainly food ,but equipment also)
There was Stores Equipment Company-An old family operation-I think they are out of business now.(EQUIPMENT)
Another equipment company under the Speer Blvd. viaduct downtown -Bought by Sysco to get the equipment lines that they sold.(Equipment Only)
Another supply company was owed by an Hispanic-about 32nd Ave. just west of I-25 I think it is out of business too.(Mainly Equipment but some food)
Pocahontas was also near 32 west of I-25 (Food-some Equipment)
There was a paper & Janitorial company on 16 street by the Platte river."

Cubby-HHHHHHHHEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPP, lol. reads like greek to me!

 

[Cubby]

I'm on it! Believe! I am on it like a Cub fan dying for a world series ON IT! (and screw the Cubs, I would rather Mr. Kyle have his name back).
I'm familiar with Sysco and Kraft..... may I ask what state, city he has these memories?

This is AWESOME! I will have something to call my old peeps in the paper, plastics and re-de industy for help. I just need to work my way west of Omaha!

ETA: Any kind of info on equipment helps, but when I was in the bus, we only dealt with paper and plastics, janitorial and it was 're-distribution', or a 'master distributor'- not the distributor to the end user, but I am hoping, praying, to find at least some leads on those who may have called on places Mr. Kyle remembers.

 

[Cubby]

Believe, I think Mr. Kyle is taking about actual food and equipment. ALL of my experience and contacts are in the disposable paper, plastics and janitorial, but this is still a great start!

I'm thinking of Bunzl, Saafeld, a few names of distributors in Terrre Haute.... and of course the Chicago market....

Back in the day Bob E had Wisconsin, I can recall Fort Howard Paper, Wisconsin Tissue, James River(and a story about a guy getting pushed into a paper vat! ), and can prolly come up with names. Kathy Z was in sales back then, and is now a VP for Kimberly Clark.

GoJo hand cleaners....

Bleyco was Cy's tissue paper company. AWM also distributed Perfect Paper products, a 'generic' name brand.

I can and will ask.... Many of these people are prolly long since retired.

It was Don M from Ft. howard..... I will try him too.... but I have to PRAY they can lead me to the Colorado area.

and I will ask Hal to see if he can get BK's info in a NRA flier.... I've been hesitating asking..... but this is some good ground work.

TY Believe!
ETA: Bleyco, handled wax paper....

now that has me thinking about butcher paper....

(and a good reason to call! I want to buy non saleable rolls of butcher paper to let my son play with painting outside in the summer! Preferably finger paints, doesn't that sound like fun? that, and a water hose to clean them off before they come back in the house)

 

[Cubby]

These are actually really good leads....

I found a Nobel, which is a subsdiary of Sysco in New Mexico.

I think, if we narrow down the area/locations of these food and equipment distributors I can make some calls to see if I can find any leads from those in the paper and plastics who can lead me to contacts in the food and equipment.

As much as I hate to ask, if Mr. Kyle remembers ( now or later, not the candy, but whenever) what kind of toilet paper or paper napkins( ANY disposables) they ordered back then. That would help too..... Though, I get to thinking Wisconsin and Colorado might have both produced there own paper..... STILL very much worth looking into.

Even back in the day, when styro foam containers were still used, or wax paper cups... remember the days when you could actually scratch the wax off a paper cup?

Will be working on the food/equipment end.

TY TY TY! Mr Kyle! :blowkiss: this is something to start from. Especially with your memories of certain restaurant establishments. when you get the memories, please share. TY TY TY!

If this goes into next year..... NRA show, at McCormick, I am gonna MAKE someone gets two tickets for Ms. Slater and Mr. Kyle and a damn hotel downtown for the NRA show! I can prolly do that, we'll have to find someone else to pop for free air miles for the tickets!

(I hope I can do that..... will try!)