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75 and Over has a proud history, anchored by a number of distributors with impressive legacies. They've dominated in sales, topped the "Distribution Giants" list for years, and established themselves as stalwarts in an industry that's seen more than its share of start-ups and quick exits. On the other hand, one FEDA firm, Boston Showcase, is celebrating its 100th year in business this year. Twenty-six others are approaching the century mark, and 10 have surpassed it. Below is a list of them all, along with a historical nod to some of our oldest. continued on page 16 FEDA Buckelew Hardware Co. Inc. (1869) Loubat Equipment Co. (1875) Bintz Restaurant Supply Co. (1891) Louis Wohl & Sons, Inc. (1897) Caldarella's Restaurant Supply (1898) Louis R. Polster Co. (1902) The Wasserstrom Co. (1902) Hockenberg's (1908) Ford Hotel Supply Co. (1911) Franke ReSupply Systems, Inc. (1911) Boston Showcase Co. (1913) Brucken's Restaurant Equipment (1915) Singer Equipment Co. (1918) Boxer Northwest Co. (1919) Bolton & Hay, Inc. (1920) Dixie Store Fixtures (1921) Edward Don & Co. (1921) Kittredge Equipment Co., Inc. (1921) Golden Light Equipment Co. (1926) Atlanta Fixture & Sales Co., Inc. (1927) Mobile Fixture & Equipment Co. Inc. (1927) The Boelter Companies Inc. (1929) Harbour Food Service Equipment Inc. (1929) F.G. Schaefer Co., Inc. (1929) Fein Brothers (1929) Federal Supply Co. (1931) Schweppe & Sons, Inc. (1932) Carey Sales & Services, Inc. (1933) Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co. (1933) GSI-Atlantic (1933) Krebs Brothers Supply (1933) United Restaurant Equipment, Inc. (1933) East Bay Restaurant Supply Inc. (1934) HAFSCO- H.A. Foodservice (1934) Tri City Equipment Co. (1934) Hamilton Store Fixtures Ltd. (1935) R.W. Smith & Co., Inc. (1935) United Restaurant Equipment Co., Inc. (1935) Rapids Wholesale Equipment (1936) Alfa International (1938) Buffalo Hotel Supply Co. Inc. (1938) Globe Equipment Co. (1938) 14 FEDA News & Views "Reaching the Century Mark" Boston Showcase Co. Founded in 1913 This past May, customers, staff and multiple generations of the Starr family gathered to celebrate Boston Showcase Co.'s 100th year in business. Shortly after emigrating from Russia in 1913, founder Max Starr opened a wood-working shop in Roxbury, Mass., and later transitioned the business into foodservice in the 1940's. With the help of sons Leonard, Erwin, Milton and Jason, Boston Showcase thrived and established itself as a respected equipment and supplies dealer. Today the distributor is a major player in the New England market and specializes in design and build, and delivering products daily to restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels and other foodservice venues all across Eastern Massachusetts. The following photo was taken in Boston Showcase's showroom in its Newton Highlands offices. Pictured among family and team members are Vice President Jack Starr (first row, third from the right), President Alan Starr (left of Jack) and their mother Betty Starr, who is standing next to Jack. Also pictured is Jack's son Matthew (second row, left of Alan). He is the fourth generation to join the family business. "From Manufacturing to Distribution" Rapids Wholesale Equipment Co. Founded in 1936 Rapids Wholesale got its start in the late 1930's as a manufacturer of beer equipment when founder Harry Ribble (pictured) developed and patented the direct draw beer box. The first was sold in 1936 to Harris' Delicatessen in Baltimore, Md., and today it sits on display in the distributor's Marion, Iowa, showroom as a reminder of its proud beginnings. Pictured is the distributor's original manufacturing plant, located on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "We still have an employee, Loren Meredith, that worked at that location and he has been with the company 39 years this month," says Rapids Miki Blair, whose grandmother Lucille Yeater worked in Rapids' accounting department in the 1960's and 70's. Blair has been with the company for 12 years and works in the inside sales and contract department.