From time to time I come across some very funny, clever names used for businesses on layouts. I need to start writing them down so I can remember them when it comes time to name the buildings in my business district.
Some examples that I remember off the top of my head: E.Coli Meat Packing, Hoffa Cement, and the always infamous law offices of Dewey, Cheatem & Howe (gotta love the Stooges!).
Got any more? Let’s here them.
I.M. Koldas Ice Co
Jarrell
Hello I always thought this was a good one. Justin Case Fire & Emergency Equipment.
A couple from the glory days of Terry Walsh:
To really appreciate that last, you need to have ridden a department store elevator operated by a human who would announce the products available on a floor.
My own are Japanese - in jokes that my family would get, but totally opaque to strangers (even Japanophones.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
One from an old Kalmbach book article: Poli Ice; the sign looked something like this
P
O
L
ICE
A couple from Miller Engineering:
I.C. Sparks Welding http://www.microstru.com/9381.html
I.F. Art Septic Services http://www.microstru.com/1281.html
I use:
R.U. Knots Lumber Company.
Harry Moveall, Barber.
Losten Foundry.
The Miracle Chair Company - If it’s a good chair it’s a Miracle.
First used on Earl Smallshaw’s layout, now a kit by Bar Mills http://www.barmillsmodels.com/
Enjoy
Paul
Harry Moel Cosmetics
Phayden Paint Co.
A couple I saw on the Central Of Alabama Layout in Prattville, Alabama
Ketchum & Chetum
A.BUSED Used Cars - The cheapest cars in town
U. R. Stuck Towing
Justin Case Attourney
Somewhere I saw a pretty good slogan for a sewage truck: “We are the No 1 company in the No 2 business”.
Grin,
Stein
There used to be a plumbing / sewage co. called Annis Plumbing, always thought that looked kinda like a joke name but wasn’t. One intentional one near me is G. Will Liquors store.
I love those names, Here are mine, Oneset Cheatem, and Lyre attonerys, M. T. Warehousing, I. Lickitt Envilope, and Lowe Quality Products. The last names I have read in Model Railroader.
The Lone Geep
I. C Buts Chair Company
I. P Daley Sewer company
Crymea River Tax attorneys.
The first one is my favorite.
And here’s a few more on a site.
One I inflicted on a club I once belonged to -
Bella DiBoll Cosmetics.
Not businesses, but streets, in Rapid City, SD:
And I used to live in Cheatham County, TN (which is pronounced the way you think it is!)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Yeah, Stein, It’s my signature.
As for business names, there’s the venerable:
Phartz & Howe Baked Beans and
Jim Findley’s Kimchi Gas Works (Findley spent some time in Korea, Kimchi is a Korean dish or rather a variety of Korean dishes)
How about Dedd-Schortz Electrical, Holley-Crappe Septic Service, or Lee Kee Boats?
If you don’t like those, there’s always Dryrotte Building Supply, Hoal-Sayle Grocery Supply, and Sam 'n Ella’s Fresh Meats.
Andre
I’ve got some:
Stinky’s Septic Service “We Handle More C*** Than Anyone Else”
Mr. Dye’s Funeral Home “You Stab 'em, We Slab 'em”
An actual propane distributor’s slogan is “We take pride in moving a lot of gas.”
Eat Here – Get Gas
For those who do not know, kimchi is spicy, pickled cabbage. You can understand why the name is appropriate for a gas works…
I’m planning a dairy industry for one siding. Haven;t built it yet but I have the name: Hukuttha Dairy Products. Their slogan - “At your grocer’s say ‘Hukuttha Cheese!’ It’s always in good taste!”
George V.