Devastating Company Fire Bonds Community
Thomas Ellis, Co-owner of
Priester's Pecans
appearing
on Fox6 News
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A fire at the Priester's kitchen destroyed the building but Southern good
neighborly charm and sense of family came to the rescue. Here you'll learn
how Priester's took what could have been a devasting disaster and turned
it around with the help of good ol' Alabamans. It's what makes Priester's
Pecans "Absolutely Alabama!" And that's why Fox6 WBRC-TV News' Fred Hunter
featured Priester's Pecans on the popular news segment "Absolutely
Alabama." Fred chatted with Thomas Ellis and Ellen Burkett, co-owners of
this vivacious family oriented business. Southern pride and a little bit
of dignity are at the heart of the business. Priester's is especially
proud of the premium
quality of their pecans.
"The people in this outfit particularly, know what a good fresh pecan
tastes like. When they get a Priester's Pecan, they get the best pecan
anywhere." said Thomas Ellis, co-owner of Priester's Pecans.
How Southerners Really Pronounce "Pecan"
Ellen Burkett, Co-owner
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Meanwhile, Ellen Burkett commented on the often misquoted use of the
word outside of the South because in Alabama, there's none of that
Southern "twang."
"In Alabama it's actually a "puh-cahn," but even in some areas of
Georgia, they call them "pee-cans. So it doesn't matter to us, you can
call them which ever you want; we know what you're looking for."
A Brief History of Priester's Pecans
Priester's has an interesting history
rooted deep in Southern family tradition. That tradition of friends and
neighbors shaking hands to start a business, seeing a need and
full-filling it. "It was started in 1935 when my Grandfather, Hence Ellis
and Mr. Priester formed a partnership.
Ned Ellis and Mr. Priester
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Mr. Priester actually had a gas station and my Grandfather was a gas
dealer and they lived in the small town of Fort Deposit. You know, they
were neighbors and went to church together. Mr. Priester had put some
pecans in his gas station that people would pick them in their yards so he
started selling them. He asked my grandfather to start selling them and
going into business with him and they started Priester's Pecans." said
Ellen. The business grew from its original location to its familiar spot
along I-65 in Alabama.
Disaster Strikes
One November night in 1996, the unthinkable happened. Fire broke out in
the kitchen and the building quickly took ablaze. But the charming
Southern hospitality stepped up to the plate and pulled the company from
the ashes, allowing it to eventually become the multi-million dollar
business it is today. For the friends, family, employees and neighbors,
everyone is "kin." "The fire was a very devastating night." said Ellen.
Fire burns down Priester's
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"We just all grouped up the next day, all the workers, my brother and I
and our father and we just made a plan. We cooked and baked items in our
local schools. Our community and friends were wonderful and from that,
we have this beautiful facility now." said Ellen.
Ellen and Fred tour Priester's
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From Fresh Pecans to Just Made Candy - 24 Hours or Less
The company emphasizes the freshness of its core product, the pecan. The
new facility allows speedy delivery of fresh
new crop pecans from the processing and shelling to the use of their
pecans in candies, desserts, pies and baked goods.
"Our goal is to get those pecans in, get 'em processed. We turn them
through this plant and when they come in the back door today, they may
be in candy tomorrow." said Thomas. "Every day we have people walk in
the front door and they go, wow I thought you just had pecans in here."
said Ellen.
For Thomas and Ellen, the holidays just wouldn't be the holidays without a
little taste of pecan
pie. "I certainly hope not. That wouldn't be right would it?" said
Thomas.
Priester's Pecans is a landmark,
a destination and a story of determination. Most of all, the story of
how Priester's begins and ends with those little pecans.
~Fred
Hunter, Foxs6 News Absolutely Alabama.
Want to watch the News feature video online? Click Here
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