A Collin Street Bakery Icon

This year marks the end of an incredible era at Collin Street Bakery as we bid a heartfelt farewell to one of our longest-serving team members, Jerry Grimmet. Since 1956, Jerry has been an integral part of our bakery family, dedicating nearly seven decades to helping shape the company into what it is today. His retirement is both a moment of celebration and a bittersweet goodbye, as we reflect on his lasting impact on our business and community.

A Lifetime of Dedication

Jerry began his journey with Collin Street Bakery in the mailroom. Over the years, his versatility and dedication led him to work in nearly every department except baking. "I'm not a baker," he often said with a smile. He played a crucial role in developing our National Mail Order system, ensuring that our world-famous fruitcakes could reach customers around the globe. In the beginning, we managed the entire business by hand, with a ledger, a pen, and a whole lot of determination," he said. "I remember one Christmas season when the orders piled up so high we had to recruit extra hands from every department. Even the bakers came up front to help sort through all the stacks of mail!"

When computers became integral to business operations, Jerry was the driving force behind their implementation, leading the rollout across the entire company. His deep understanding of technology and vision for how it could revolutionize operations allowed the bakery to modernize and grow. As his leadership in Production, Shipping, and IT took shape, he tailored these advancements to the unique needs of the bakery, ensuring a seamless transition into the digital age.  There were plenty of hiccups along the way, but we figured it out, he said. “Once we got it up and running, we could process orders faster than ever before. That was a game-changer."

The Heart of the Bakery

What made Jerry so special wasn’t just his work ethic—it was his unwavering kindness, patience, mentorship, and dedication to those around him. His colleagues describe him as a fountain of wisdom, always willing to lend a hand or share a story from the "good old days." He took new employees under his wing, teaching them not just the technical aspects of the job, but also the importance of teamwork, passion, and pride in every product we create.

One colleague, Hayden Crawford, remembers Jerry’s patience firsthand: "When I came on as a ‘newbie’ 20 years ago, I had a lot to learn. But Jerry never lost his patience. Instead, he mentored me, answering my endless questions with a steady, reassuring presence. That’s a rare quality, and one that made working with him so special."

Jerry recalls a time when a young employee was struggling to keep up with customer inquiries. "I pulled him aside and said, 'Son, customers don’t just want answers—they want to feel like they’re talking to an old friend.' It’s not just about selling fruitcake; it’s about making connections."

A Legacy That Will Last

Jerry’s influence extends far beyond the bakery walls. His warm smile and friendly demeanor made him a familiar face to generations of customers, many of whom would return year after year, looking forward to his welcoming presence. His commitment to quality and tradition has helped uphold the values that have made Collin Street Bakery a household name.

Beyond his role as a mentor and friend, Jerry played a vital part in the bakery’s decision-making process. His leadership and business savvy guided countless impactful choices, and he often served as a trusted advisor. In his later years, Jerry would review potential new business opportunities. If an idea didn’t quite fit, Jerry - armed with his personalized hand stamp - would mark the proposal with a simple yet dreaded "smiley face," a polite but firm rejection. "I saw lots of proposals get that smiley face stamp," Hayden Crawford recalls with a laugh. "Jerry had an uncanny ability to see through the fluff and get straight to what worked and what didn’t." 

Jerry’s contributions to our company and community have been so profound that an imposing, brass statue of him now stands in historic downtown Corsicana. The statue is located where Collin Street Bakery once stood, serving as a tribute to his incredible legacy and the impact he made on our history.

Though we will miss seeing Jerry at work every day, his legacy will live on in every fruitcake, cookie, pastry, and bread, that comes out of our ovens. His impact is woven into the fabric of our company, and we are forever grateful for his service, dedication, and friendship.

Wishing Jerry the Best

As Jerry steps into this well-deserved retirement, we wish him endless days of relaxation, joy, and time spent with loved ones. Whether he’s fishing, gardening, or simply enjoying a cup of Cinchona® coffee, we hope he takes with him the deep appreciation and love from everyone at Collin Street Bakery.

Thank you, Jerry, for 69 amazing years. You are and always will be a cherished part of our bakery family.

Written By: Emily Pair