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1957
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June - George N. Gekas, a Greek immigrant of 1951, establishes
the Ranch Restaurant in Harrisburg, PA. The
dressing recipe originates as oil and vinegar dressing for
cold cut submarine sandwiches. The success of the business
allows George to purchase a neighboring restaurant owned by
his uncles Bill and Christ Gekas.
1971
- George uses the recipe as the official house salad dressing
of Locust Street Cafe. The success of this venture and the
popularity of the dressing necessitate expansion of the restaurant.
1973
- The Adjacent property is acquired and the Gazebo Room Restaurant
born. Patrons would request and purchase dressing in emptied
liquor bottles, often supplying containers of their own.
1989
- Sons, Nick and Steven take the recipe "public". They form
Best Dressed Associates, Inc. meet PA Dept. of Agriculture
requirements to begin licensed manufacture and retail sale
of the dressing. August- Processing commences with hand filling
and labeling operation in the Gazebo Room kitchen.
1991
- Best Dressed begins trading with first major distributor,
Super Rite Foods Inc., Harrisburg, PA. This necessitates the
purchase and implementation of semi-automated filling & labeling
machinery and rental of an adjacent property for the new production
facility.
1994
- Best Dressed expands operations to his present location
in Mechanicsburg, Pa - A 5,000 sq. ft. facility with office,
production room, warehouse, and distribution capabilities.
1997
- Best Dressed revises its packaging to meet consumer needs
for a 16 oz. plastic bottle, shaker cap, and nutritional label.
Now called Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing & Marinade, the
dressing has the same great taste with a great new look. Distribution
expands to more than 2,000 retail locations by the end of
1999.
1999
- 2000 - A fullly automated production line is sourced, purchased,
and implemented to accommodate demand for the Greek dressing
and future additions to the product line.
2000
- Recipes formulated and testing for New Gazebo Room Balsamic
Vinaigrette and Lite Greek dressings.
2001
- The addition of Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Lite dressings
to product line is complete and available for sale in July.
2003 - Expansion
project of production facility complete. The production
facility is now nearly 10,000 sq. feet.
2004 - Preliminary testing of recipes for future
products.
2008
- Relocation of company headquarters and production
facilities to 70,000 square foot building in Lewisberry, PA.
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