Many local companies have had a rough economic ride.
But one has near-record sales.
Tonight, WFFT has the first of a series of reports on unique local businesses called "We Made It."
Our Andrew Logsdon visited Sechler's pickles in Saint Joe.
Sechler's officials told us that sales are up right now, and their company is expanding nationally.
Company president Max Troyer says that even though they're a small company, their history in Dekalb County has remained steady in an area looking for stability.
"Pickles are just one of those things that can put a smile on your face," Troyer says.
Sechler's Pickles has been in business for 85 years.
It's been in the same place north of Saint Joe.
Today- it runs two retail stores, offers factory tours and has distribution deals with many grocery and specialty stores across Indiana.
Troyer says this year is one of Sechler's best.
"I relate it back to a story that was told to me by somebody that had been in the pickle business for over seventy years. He always said, 'People don't eat pickles with steak.' so, the rougher the economy is, generally the better the pickle business is," says Troyer.
Sechler's pickles employs 35 people, mostly from Saint Joe.
Much like Brooke Ortiz.
She just graduated from college, and says most of her family has worked at Sechler's.
"My dad worked here when he was in high school, like twenty-seven years ago, and then my mom worked here for a little bit, both my grandparents, so many aunts and uncles," says Ortiz.
Each summer, the company teams with the city to hold the Saint Joe Pickle Festival, which Troyer says brings in people and money from all over the country.
He says while sales are up during a down economy, this summer's drought has increased costs.
Most of their cucumbers come from western Michigan, and he says next year, his supply costs are expected to skyrocket.
"So, our prices were all set prior to the drought this season this year. But next year, the price that corn is today, you know we're going to end up paying a lot more for pickles," Troyer says.
Although a small company, Visit Fort Wayne CEO Dan O'Connell says Sechler's impact on the state is immense.
O'connell says it's one of their most-referred tourist spots.
"The Indiana-Made in Fort Wayne is a good opportunity to see more product, help keep jobs here, help keep business here, so we're glad to see Sechler's growing," O'Connell says.
Troyer says the staff takes pride in being the only pickle factory in the state- he says, we made it here.
But one has near-record sales.
Tonight, WFFT has the first of a series of reports on unique local businesses called "We Made It."
Our Andrew Logsdon visited Sechler's pickles in Saint Joe.
Sechler's officials told us that sales are up right now, and their company is expanding nationally.
Company president Max Troyer says that even though they're a small company, their history in Dekalb County has remained steady in an area looking for stability.
"Pickles are just one of those things that can put a smile on your face," Troyer says.
Sechler's Pickles has been in business for 85 years.
It's been in the same place north of Saint Joe.
Today- it runs two retail stores, offers factory tours and has distribution deals with many grocery and specialty stores across Indiana.
Troyer says this year is one of Sechler's best.
"I relate it back to a story that was told to me by somebody that had been in the pickle business for over seventy years. He always said, 'People don't eat pickles with steak.' so, the rougher the economy is, generally the better the pickle business is," says Troyer.
Sechler's pickles employs 35 people, mostly from Saint Joe.
Much like Brooke Ortiz.
She just graduated from college, and says most of her family has worked at Sechler's.
"My dad worked here when he was in high school, like twenty-seven years ago, and then my mom worked here for a little bit, both my grandparents, so many aunts and uncles," says Ortiz.
Each summer, the company teams with the city to hold the Saint Joe Pickle Festival, which Troyer says brings in people and money from all over the country.
He says while sales are up during a down economy, this summer's drought has increased costs.
Most of their cucumbers come from western Michigan, and he says next year, his supply costs are expected to skyrocket.
"So, our prices were all set prior to the drought this season this year. But next year, the price that corn is today, you know we're going to end up paying a lot more for pickles," Troyer says.
Although a small company, Visit Fort Wayne CEO Dan O'Connell says Sechler's impact on the state is immense.
O'connell says it's one of their most-referred tourist spots.
"The Indiana-Made in Fort Wayne is a good opportunity to see more product, help keep jobs here, help keep business here, so we're glad to see Sechler's growing," O'Connell says.
Troyer says the staff takes pride in being the only pickle factory in the state- he says, we made it here.
