(Editor’s note: Second of two parts)
J.B. Cameron and William Barr, Scottish immigrants, opened their first bakery in Chattanooga in 1887 and, with the combination of hard work, the use of quality ingredients and careful expansion using personal finances over the next 38 years, their 1925 Main Street facility was proclaimed “the most complete bakery in East Tennessee.” The grand opening was held on Tuesday, March 17, 1925.
The Chattanooga News headlines on the following day heralded the opening with “New Bakery Crowded at Opening Tuesday: Attendance Exceeds Expectations of Cameron and Barr, Co.” How many people toured the new facility that evening between 4:30 and 11:00 p.m.? Officials estimated that “between 4,000 and 5,000 interested Chattanoogans attended the formal opening and reception.”
Cameron, Barr and staff had anticipated a strong interest in the modern facility and planned accordingly. The plant had been divided into aisles to create a smooth flow of visitors, and a route for inspection had been mapped off. Even with all the preparations, the larger-than-expected crowd kept the aisles full until well after the 11 p.m. planned closing. The owners were quite pleased with the response and attempted to speak to each attendee, making that connection personal and welcoming.
“Words of the highest praise for the new Betsy Ross plant were heard on all sides.” The cleanliness — a hallmark of the baking industry — seemed to surprise many of the visitors as they recalled their own kitchens during food preparation. “The visit to the plant proved highly interesting and instructive to those who attended. Many had never before had the opportunity of visiting a modern bakery.”