California Grape Food Company

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Summary
Business

Food processor
Main Location

Los Gatos, CA
Active

-1895

The California Grape Food Company was a Los Gatos-based business which was selling grape syrup for table and medicinal purposes.

An 1894 advertising card describes their product, "Sanitas Grape Food" as a "cure, delicious as a bunch of grapes... NOT ALCOHOLIC... in pint bottles." The business lists offices in San Francisco and Los Gatos, as well as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia[1].

The company was declared insolvent by 1894, sold by late 1894[2] and was sued by shareholders in 1895. According to news reports, the collapse was caused by agents in the east overspending on advertising and other costs[3].

President of the company was H. A. Merriam, with Elton K. Shaw and F. F. Watkins as other officers.

Locations

Location Years Address Details
Los Gatos 1895 University Ave. north end

Photos

California Grape Food Company, 1895. History Los Gatos, photo HC047. Caption notes that the building was at the north end of University Ave., and was torn down by 1912.

References

<references>

  1. California Grape Food Company Victorian Woman Holding Grapes: eBay Auction.
  2. Grape Food Company: Plans of Purchasers of the Plant at Los Gatos: December 30, 1894 San Francisco Call. "Young, Stanfield & Hockins recently assumed control of the Grape Food Company on a bid of $13,025, subject to a $5000 mortgage."
  3. Stockholders Sued: San Jose Evening News, December 20, 1895.