Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KLOSTON, Peter J.
KLOSTON, Peter J. (Greece, Dubuque, IA, Mar. 2, 1967). At the age of seventeen, Peter Klostos immigrated to the United States. He chose to Americanize his name and, like many Greeks, enter the food industry. After serving an apprenticeship in many eastern cities including Youngstown, Ohio and Philadelphia, he moved to Chicago to work as a candy maker in the Maple Leaf Company.
Kloston was later convinced to move to Dubuque. Jim and Arthur Diamond, Angello Grellos, and James "Kingfish" Koutre offered him the opportunity of operating his own candy business with their financial backing. With $500 to purchase equipment, Kloston furnished BETTY JANE HOMEMADE CANDIES on Main Street north of AMERICAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK.
Within one year, Kloston was able to pay back the other four investors. Kloston chose the name Betty Jane because of the flowing appearance of the script as it looked on the lid of the candy box. Kloston's family joined him in November 1938 and lived in an apartment above the store. When help was needed in the shop, Kloston pounded on the pipes to summon his family.
Business experiences during WORLD WAR II varied. Opening stores in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Davenport, Iowa proved unsuccessful while the Dubuque operation proved profitable. He manufactured only as much candy as he could safely sell in one day because of sugar and chocolate rationing. Customers were ushered into the store in small groups. When the day's supply of candy was sold, the store was closed.
In 1983 Kloston invited John W. HEINZ, the husband of his eldest daughter, Ruth, to became a partner in the business. Following the death of Kloston, the partnership was shared between Heinz and his wife.
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Source:
1. Obituary, Telegraph-Herald, March 7, 1967, p. 7
2. Interview with company officials, March, 1988