industry names

[whywaites]

Hi, excuse the crudity of it but we had one over here in the UK that did the circuit for a while it was called "R Sole - Shoe Makers".

Shaun

[Adelie]

One good source is a Yiddish dictionary online.  A lot of the old Three Stooges businesses and names came from Yiddish.  Among the goodies I found (with the translation):
Shmata’s Fine Clothing (rags)
Shiker’s Bar (drunkard)
Chotchke’s Gifts (actually spelled Tchotchke, a cheap trinket)
Heizel’s Hotel (house of ill repute)

I'm sure there are many more that can be created from various languages.  Spending a little time online with one of the dictionary sites may cause people around you to think you've lost your mind when you are laughing to yourself.

[andrechapelon]

  Looking for an article or tongue in cheek names for industries.  Examples; Lauston Foundry, Old King Coal Co.

Lewh

Phartz & Howe Baked Beans

Dedshortz Electrical Supplies

Hardlee-Abel Paving Company 

A. Nall Retentive Plumbing Supplies

Spewing-Chunx Fresh Produce - Our spinach is to die for

Sam N. Nella Poultry Distributors

Vi Agra Construction - We can get it up in half the time

 

Andre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pcarrell]

Not so much a funny Co. name, but just south of Louisville on I 65 on a hillside, there's a billboard that advertises "Tattoo's while you wait"!  Like theres any other kind?

[Anonymous]

I think John Allen's sign also said something about "pieces re-written at a reasonable rate" or something similar; Lynn W. was noted for editing and rewriting pretty much every article that went into MR - whether they needed it or not, according to John Allen!!

Ole King Coal wouldn't be too bad, King is a common last name and Ole isn't too uncommon a first name here in Minnesnowta.

There is a booze shop in Cottage Grove MN near both BNSF and CP mainlines that is called "G.Will Liquors".

Well, Walthers does have "O.L. King" Coal... http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3015

[route_rock]

  Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric huh? You must be in my neck of the woods, we got them after they bought Sherrard power!! But anyhow I love John Allens quick wit when it comes to his ideas. I have wanted to add a few industries like this.I.M. Bloated Natural Gas sounds like a fun one,Mr Lemons Used car emporium?Ima Felon BailBonds!

 

  Fun to say the least.

 

[wjstix]

I think John Allen's sign also said something about "pieces re-written at a reasonable rate" or something similar; Lynn W. was noted for editing and rewriting pretty much every article that went into MR - whether they needed it or not, according to John Allen!!

Ole King Coal wouldn't be too bad, King is a common last name and Ole isn't too uncommon a first name here in Minnesnowta.

There is a booze shop in Cottage Grove MN near both BNSF and CP mainlines that is called "G.Will Liquors".

[Texas Zepher]

Some folks put together a pretty extensive list a while back.

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/528926/ShowPost.aspx

and

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34133

 

[tomikawaTT]

From Terry Walsh (one of the earliest advocates of way freight switching:)

• Thrust and Parry Fence Company
• Burns and Burns Fuels
• Barque and Knotts Lumber Company
• Laydee-Zunder Warehouse

John Allen had a Westcott Bookstore (with a subhead on the sign, Ancient Manuscripts, allegedly a reference to the long lead time between article acceptance and publication in MR.)

Not an industry, but interesting nonetheless - two streets in Rapid City, SD.  Kno Place paralleled the C&NW tracks.  Sum Place was one block to the north.

Chuck (Who named stations after ex-girlfriends until wife caught on)

[fiatfan]

Our local utility company used to be Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric.  I was thinking of abbreviating it to Ia-Nois Gas Company (pronounced I annoy).

Tom

[NS2591]

Dewey, Cheatem, & Howe Attorneys at Law
S. Queaky Chair Company
Those are DPM kit names, there is more but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head

[jeffrey-wimberly]

R. U. Knots lumber mill.

[lewh]

  Looking for an article or tongue in cheek names for industries.  Examples; Lauston Foundry, Old King Coal Co.

Lewh