News Release 11-7-2002 |
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BLUE SMOKE OPENS NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY, GRAND OPENING FEATURES “TASTE OF WEST VIRGINIA” Blue Smoke Salsa, one of West Virginia’s premier gourmet specialty
food manufacturers, will hold an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony
for its new processing facility in Ansted, W.Va., Friday, November
8, 2003, 11 a.m. Festivities will continue through Friday and Saturday. Founded in 1992 by owner Robin Hildebrand, Blue Smoke features
multi-heat salsas, a signature hot sauce, chef cooking sauce, BBQ
sauce and old-fashion pepper jelly. The company originated in the
basement of Hildebrand’s house in Chimney Corner and moved
to downtown Ansted in 1997. Faced with increased popularity, the
current expansion began in early summer and culminates with this
weekend’s ribbon cutting ceremonies. The new production facility is directly across the street from
the first downtown Ansted location. An automated filling line, public
production viewing deck, a dedicated West Virginia gourmet gift
basket area and expanded retail center are the highlights of Blue
Smoke’s contribution to downtown Ansted and its growing retail
sector. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. on Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Support for the project was provided by the West Virginia Department
of Agriculture, Marshall University Economic Development Authority
and the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Filling line demonstrations will take place on Friday at 1 p.m. and again on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Blue Smoke will be open on Friday from 11a.m. - 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday. Throughout both days, West Virginia gourmet food businesses will
provide samples and meet with the public in the Blue Smoke Specialties
retail store. Selected as the 2000 West Virginia Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, Blue Smoke Salsa is a participant in the “West Virginia Grown” program, which celebrates the state’s network of over 300 home-based agricultural businesses. The state’s agribusinesses generate $100 million a year for the state’s economy. For additional information on the Open House and Blue Smoke, please contact Hildebrand at (304) 658-3800 or by e-mail at bluesmokesalsa@hotmail.com.
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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