Page 4
Friday, February 11, 2011 • Newcomers Edition
Vermilion home to popular products Who would have ever imagined that the small, quaint town of Abbeville would be home to many very successful businesses? This basically reflects that old saying, “Looks can be deceiving. ” Abbeville may be small in size, but it certainly is not small in pride. A reflection of this is the extraordinary success many local businesses have realized here in town. Natives of Abbeville may not realize how far Abbeville products go, a fact that may have been overlooked for quite some time. Steen ’s Syrup Mill Inhabiting the shady banks of the Vermilion Bayou, Steen ’s Syrup Mill is one of the oldest and most prominent businesses in the area. Located on Main Street in downtown Abbeville, Steen ’s has been in business since 1910. It was founded by Charley Sidney Steen, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth Bernard Steen. Steen ’s products include molasses, corn and cane syrup blends, and cane vinegar, all of which are distributed throughout the world under 40 different brand labels. These products are one
The Steen ’s Syrup Mill in Abbeville. of the few remaining “pure ” in Abbeville is “Cajun Power ” food products on the market Spicy Garlic Pepper Sauce. today. This hot sauce is produced When local residents hear by a family living here in the sound of the old steam Abbeville. whistle blowing, they soon Their recipe is considered remember that it is again a “Home-Brewed ” mixture of time for the annual fall pro- flavorful garlic and peppers, cessing. resulting in a delicious hot Everyone then realizes sauce full of flavor and kick. that another year of history is In existence since 1978, being made at the C.S. Steen Syrup Mill in downtown Abbeville. Cajun Power Sauces Another prominent business with its headquarters
Sellers
~ Custom Decorating ~ CUSTOM DRAPERY • BLINDS, SHADES & SHUTTERS • DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES & GIFTS
Cajun Power Sauce is a completely automated factory which ships its products nationwide. Circulating throughout the U.S. from the small plant in Abbeville are products such as Herbs and Spice Cajun Worcestershire Steak Sauce, Cajun Shaker Seasoning, Shaker Sweet Treat, a picante sauce, and a squeeze filtered roasted garlic juice. The company advertises and promotes Abbeville on every product label that it has. Their recipe booklets also contain a map to the company ’s hometown. Southern quality is very important to this company. Carroll Thomas, the company ’s founder, tastes everything that the company develops before it hits the market. LeBlanc ’s Cane Jelly The grandfather invented the cure-all elixir Hadacol. Now, some 56 years later, the grandson has discovered the first new sugarcane product in years. Roland LeBlanc, Jr. of
Abbeville has poured his time and efforts into developing sugarcane jelly. “We have discovered a new property in cane, ” LeBlanc says. “Putting it in jelly form is one of the better ways to bring it out. ” According to LeBlanc, there are many advantages to this jelly. It is not only tasty, but healthy for the consumer as well. “The jelly enhances the flavor as would salt or MSG. The added bonus is that it doesn ’t have a high sodium content like salt, nor does it contain artificial ingredients like MSG, ” says LeBlanc. “It is 100 percent natural. ” “Enhanced taste is not the only benefit. Using it on meats gives it a glaze that makes it look like it came out of one of the food magazines, ” he replies. ” The cane jelly is available in several flavors, including barbecue, good on any type of meat; pepper, a regional favorite served as a dip over cream cheese; dark cane; and light cane.
12: 6(//,1*
+7& P\7RXFK * &RQWUDFW
+XDZHL &RPHW 3UH 3DLG
Established in 1953
115 N. Cushing Blvd., Kaplan
337-643-2901
%URDGPRUH $EEHYLOOH ,Q 7KH 0DOO 1H[W 7R :DO 0DUW