HISTORY OF MERCHANTS BAKERY SUPPLIES, INC.
The company started life as Merchants Supply Company, named by its founder, Mr. O. H. Greer. He came up with this name using the reasoning that if bakery supplies didn’t sell very well, he could change the type of products he sold and use the same name.
When Hill Greer was told by his doctor that he needed to retire, he sold the company to Larry and Bonnie Traugott, whom he met through a mutual friend. They moved to Dallas from Jackson, Mississippi, to take over a business they knew little about. Neither had ever worked in a bakery before. However, Larry had been in the folding carton business for several years and was, at least, familiar with some of the bakery packaging. Both Bonnie and Larry had owned businesses before, so they knew how to run a company, even if they weren’t familiar with the products.
The Traugotts jumped in wholeheartedly and began learning. Mr. Greer stayed with them a while to teach them everything he knew. They worked seven days a week, sometimes. They had one employee, Kelly, in the warehouse. He pulled orders, made deliveries and stocked the shelves. Bonnie ran the office. Larry was a salesman part-time and then helped Bonnie. Shortly, they hired two more salesmen. C. L. Blackburn worked in the Metroplex, as well as, points north and east. Cliff McDonald worked in Oklahoma. Then Mr. Greer also came back as a salesman, working the Dallas area and points south and west. It was a very small warehouse, but they quickly built the business and ten months later moved to a larger facility.
At this point, they were able to hire more help for the warehouse and their first office help. The new person in the office, Allegra, had worked many years in her family’s bakery and brought that experience and a better understanding of what the bakers and decorators needed. With another person on board, Bonnie was able to lighten her workload. However, people still wanted to talk to her and hear her sweet southern drawl.
Gradually, the company grew and added more employees. Richard was hired and eventually became the warehouse manager. Larry’s sons, Stan and Mike, both moved to Dallas to work in the family business.
During the incorporation process, the name was changed to Merchants Bakery Supplies, Inc.
Next, they needed more space. The building was originally three separate businesses, with Merchants on the east end of the building. When the company in the middle moved out, Merchants took over their space and cut doors through in front and back. A couple of years later, the tenant on the west end moved out and their space was also taken by Merchants.
Larry and Bonnie continued to build their business over the next several years. Cake decorating continued to evolve and they added new products as they became available, thus adding more choices for the customers.
The Traugotts also enjoyed attending bakery conventions. It gave them a chance to meet their customers face to face. They were able to get to know the people and better understand their needs. They also got to know other suppliers in the area and helped them out or received help from time to time.
When Bonnie suffered a stroke in 19??, she was no longer able to work actively in the office, but she was still involved behind the scenes. She and Larry still talked things over and made decisions together. When she passed away in 2001, the void was felt by everyone.
As time progressed, Larry reduced his active time and became semi-retired. Because turnover was very slow, he had many employees with 15 to 20 years at the company. A couple of them had over 30 years each.
With Larry’s passing in 2011, the torch was passed to the next generation. His children, Stan, Cindy and Mike now own the company, with Cindy handling the reins. They are in the process of updating the company with a website, social media and office face-lift.
Though Bonnie and Larry Traugott are both greatly missed, we’re here to tell you that the best is yet to come.
