Kresge’s Recipes and Old-Fashioned Sodas

Kresge’s Recipes and Old-Fashioned Sodas

Remember Kresge’s?

Sebastian Spering Kresge was the founder of the S. S. Kresge Company, one of the 20th century's largest retail organizations. The company was renamed the Kmart Corporation in 1977, and evolved into today's Sears Holdings Corporation, parent of Kmart and Sears.

Back in 1897 he began working for James G. McCrory (founder of J.G. McCrory’s – another five-and-dime). After two years he founded his company with Charles Wilson. By 1912 he incorporated S.S. Kresge Company with 85 stores.
The first Kmart opened in 1962 and in 1977 (11 years after his death) S.S. Kresge changed their name to Kmart corporation. In 2005 Sears Holding Corporation became the parent company if Kmart and Sears after Kmart bought Sears and formed the new parent company.

Like Woolworth’s, Kresge’s also had luncheon counters in their stores. Whether you called them lunch counters, luncheonettes, dinettes or soda fountains, anyone who can still recall sitting at the counter on one of their red vinyl pedestal stools will tell you that the food was wonderful…and cheap.

They had the best soda fountain in town, plus dinners that were out of this world. Banana splits were 20 cents, hot fudge sundaes were 15 cents, pie 15 cents, and Cokes were 5 cents.

Believe it or not in the year 1956, this is a deluxe luncheon for 79 cents. Six-ounce Salisbury steak with bacon, mashed potatoes, Cole slaw, roll with butter, and coffee. Those were the days.

Kresge's Lunch Counter Sloppy Joes (Chili Burger)
What a wonder those sandwiches were. They toasted the bun and served them with potato chips & a pickle.

3 lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 c chopped onions
1/2 c water
1 Tbsp salt (can use less)
1 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp paprika
1 c tomato paste
1/4 c (optional) brown sugar or amount to your taste (mom's addition)

Brown beef and onions. Add remaining ingredients, except brown sugar, and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Taste when done and add brown sugar if desired.

Toast and butter hamburger buns. Serve on warm buns with potato chips and a dill pickle.



Kresge’s Holiday Fruit Cake (Dark)

20 Oz. Kresge Extra Fancy Mix
8 Oz. Candied Cherries
6 Oz. Pitted Dates
4 Oz. Raisins
4 Oz. Walnut Meats
4 Oz. Pecan Meats
1/4 Cup Sifted Flour
1 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Honey
5 well beaten Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Sifted Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. All Spice
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. Cloves
1/4 Cup Orange or Grape juice

Halve Cherries, Nut Meats and Dates. Dredge fruits and nuts in 1/4 cup of Flour.
Cream Shortening and Sugar; add Honey and Eggs and beat well. Sift second amount of Flour with dry ingredients and add alternately with fruit juice to creamed mixture. Beat thoroughly. Pour batter over floured fruits and mix well.
Line two greased 3½x7½” loaf pans with waxed paper, allowing 1/2 inch to extend above all sides of pan. Pour batter into pans–do not flatten. Bake in slow oven (250°) approx. 3 hours.
Place pan containing 2 cups water on bottom shelf while baking. Cakes baked with water have greater volume, moist texture and a smooth, shiny glaze. If decoration of nuts and cherries is used, place on cake at end of 2 hours. Store in a covered container in a cool place. This recipe makes about 5 pounds.
Compliments of S. S. KRESGE COMPANY