Images(4)

Mill, Coffee

Object number2019.40.4

Manufacturer American Duplex Company

Date1946-1985

OriginLouisville, KY

MediumMetal; Paint; Rubber; Glass; Electrical wiring; Fiberboard

Credit LineGiven in honor of the McGinnis Family

DescriptionElectronic coffee grinder. Rectangular metal unit that is yellow on top two-thirds and dark brown-black on bottom third; chrome metal band near top and bottom. Fiberboard door on top has chrome metal handle and covers hopper for coffee insertion. Front red-framed central section has oval recess on left with lightbulb inside at top; instructional graphics and text on the right. Reverse has red instructional text on top half, grind lever at center, and silver section at right with coffee spigot and red and silver plate at far right with grind index and maker information; grind selection lever to the right of plate. Brown rubber power cord with black three-prong plug extends from bottom of proper left side in front of power toggle switch. Four metal feet.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 25.75 × 15.5 × 13 in. (65.4 × 39.4 × 33 cm)
Length (of cord): 75.25 in. (191.1 cm)
InscriptionsFront has yellow and red text to right of central oval opening "VACUUM / REQUIRES / FINE GRIND / DRIP / REQUIRES / DRIP GRIND / We feature this / superb blend of / coffee, freshly... / correctly ground, / to suit your own / brewing method / PERCOLATOR / REQUIRES / REGULAR GRIND / OPEN POT / REQUIRES / COARSE GRIND".

Back has red text "1 - SET INDEX TO DESIRED GRIND [arrow] / 2 - EMPTY COFFEE INTO HOPPER...CLOSE LID / 3 - PLACE BAG OVER BOTTOM OF SPIGOT / 4 - TURN TO GRIND [arrow] / 5. TAP LEVER AT TOP OF / SPOUT SEVERAL TIMES / THEN JOG BAG BEFORE / REMOVING".

Reverse has silver plate at right center with red and silver text "FINE / VACUUM / DRIP / FOR DRIP / REGULAR / PERCOLATOR / COARSE / OPEN POT".

Power toggle switch at bottom of proper left side has imprinted text "OFF" and "ON".
MarksReverse has red text at left center "GRINDMASTER".

Reverse has silver plate at right center with red and silver text at top "PATENTS / 136647 / 158901" and at bottom "MODEL 50 / LISTED UNDER / REEXAMINATION SERVICE / UL / OF UNDERWRITERS' LABORATORIES INC. / SERIAL NO. / 50 G 10369 / AC CURRENT / 115V. 60 CY. / 1/3 H.P. / AMPS. 6 / AMERICAN / DUPLEX / CO. / LOUISVILLE / 2, KY. / U. S. A."
Historical NotesPart of the McGinnis Family Food Stores collection that encompasses materials related to the operation of a chain of family-run food markets that started in Pittsburgh’s South Hills Baldwin neighborhood in 1946. The first McGinnis market (variously referred to as “McGinnis Supermarket” or “McGinnis Food Market”) was started by family patriarch James Elwood McGinnis when he could not find a job after WWII. Beginning with a fruit cart, he eventually opened a grocery and deli at 2872 Custer Avenue in Baldwin that proved so successful it expanded to multiple stores, including one in Carrick/Castle Shannon and later Monroeville. The stores were operated by different family members. In 1985, three McGinnis sisters – Sharon McGinnis Young, Bonnie McGinnis Vello, and Noreen McGinnis Campbell – assumed operation of the main set of McGinnis Stores, rebranding them “McGinnis Sisters” markets. (Two brothers split off and started other stores not considered part of the chain.) With the three women serving as active spokespersons, the stores garnered more media attention during this period. For most of its operation, the chain was largely connected with stores that operated in the South Hills and Monroeville. Between 2008 and 2017, a McGinnis Sisters market also operated north of Pittsburgh in a shopping center in Adams Township/Mars, Pennsylvania. A series of events between 2017 and 2019 eventually brought about the closure of the chain. Objects in the collection were gathered from throughout the stores and consolidated at the final property, the McGinnis Sisters Special Food Store at 3825 Saw Mill Run Boulevard.

Previous owner McGinnis Family Food Stores (1946 - 2019)

Related institution Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.

Related person James Elwood McGinnis

Related person Sharon McGinnis Young

Related person Bonnie McGinnis Vello

Related person Noreen McGinnis Campbell

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