Clark builds modern bakery

This story appeared in the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, October 3, 1908.

Modern in its equipment, the equal of the best in the state in facilities for turning out high grade goods, is the bakery of James Clark at 438 Huron street. The plant is a source of pride to the proprietor who has long wanted to possess the equipment that would enable him to successfully compete with the goods that are shipped into Ypsilanti daily.

Mr. Clark has invested several thousand dollars in his bakery. The building is constructed of concete blocks with concrete flooring. He buys flour by the carload and keeps it in the second story where the temperature is warm and the flour will be dry and free from any business. The flour passes through a large sifter to a dough maker of several barrels capacity, which is operated by an electric motor. A dough break will be installed within a few days to make the very finest grained bread.

A Petersen over was installed at the cost of $1,200. It has a capacity of 5,000 loaves every 24 hours. This would be suffcient to bake all the bread used in Ypsilanti. Bread is baked in 20 minutes.

There are departments for fruit, for lard, for angar, spices, etc, all the accessories that a baker uses. Ice cream is an all-year-round trade now, and Mr. Clark has a good equipment in ths department.

"I don't believe in newspaper advertising until you can deliver the goods as you represent them," said Mr. Clark. "For this reason I haven't sought much publicity. I am now in a position to give first class service in every branch of my business. I can make as good goods as is shipped in by any outsider.

"Seven men and two girls are employed in my bakery. Ypsilanti concumes about 1,200 loaves ofDetroit bread daily. If that bread were baked in my shop it would give employment to three men and one boy. Y can see how Ypsilanti would be benefitted if her citizens patronized home industries.

"No Detroit bread is shipped into Ann Arbor. Flint won't accept Detroit bread. I believe our citizens will be equally loyal when they learn that they can receive the same or better service at home that by patronizing outside firms."