Mad Man Rankin
Jonh Pettgrew Rankin left Sovereign Putlers in 1938, and sold dishes he purchased from his old employer out of a garage at Province and Main St. East. He rented a store at 1331 Main St. East, in 1939 and operated Rankins China. Jack and his family lived behind the store until he purchased land and built on the present location in 1947.
In January of 1949 he rented a bull from a farmer in Greensville and rode it through his China Shop, receiving world-wide publicity and the name “Mad Man Rankin”.
The front section of the store was built in 1950 and operated as Rankins Fine China and Gifts for ten years. Due to a change in the Hamilton retail market, Jack decided to switch his line of work. In 1960, the new variety and snack bar served the students of Delta High School and the business community. “The worst cup of coffee” and the Best Western in Hamilton. In 1980 he took a partner and opened Hamilton’s first neighborhood Bar and Grill.
It wasn’t unusual to see Jack in costume and eating breakfast outside at a T.V. table waving to cars—always a jokester but always thinking of new promotions. He was in business for 56 years until January 23 1994. The business is run by his son, and grand-daughters. In May 1999 Rankins celebrated the anniversary of the bull in the china shop. Sam Shore and Kenny Nesbit were here that day. They worked for Jack in 1949 and are in the picture above.
Rankins just celebrated 23 years as Rankins Grill on June 24th 2003
Since this is so close to Halloween we are going to put in a little twist. We dare anyone who comes to dress up as their Geocaching name. For some of you this may be easy, but for others you may need to be a little creative. Please note that this is kid friendly, and you may dress up only if you wish.