NEW! DeLuxe® Fruitcake Packaging
Contrary to popular belief, fruitcake doesn’t last forever. But you know what does last forever? The tin it comes in. Our tins have been around for as long as our bakery and they’ve seen some changes over the years. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with our favorite container to see how it’s adapted over time.
Origin of the Tin
Our bakery has been around since 1896, but our tins have not. We aren’t sure when exactly we began using tins to package our fruitcakes, but it wasn’t long after we opened our doors. At first, we didn’t have an official standard tin design. Instead, we cycled through different designs with changes being made every so often.
The Familiar Design
We bet you’re wondering when the Bakery settled on the classic red DeLuxe® tin we’ve come to recognize and love. Well, we don’t exactly know. We know it was some time in the early-1900s, but the specific date is undocumented. The lid’s artwork was custom created specifically for Collin Street. With inspiration pulled from various historical events such as the Battle at the Alamo, the designer was asked to showcase the Bakery’s pride in our Texas roots.
Our familiar red design was used until the late 1940s when we decided it was time to shake things up. A new tin debuted and was met with swift backlash. Turns out, our customers had become strongly attached to the design of the red tin and did not like it changing. Much like how New Coke flopped in the ‘80s, our new design was met with aggressive backlash. Hearing the outpour of discontent from our customers regarding the modification, the Bakery switched back to the classic red tin. Since then, our DeLuxe® tins have received only minor updates and design changes. We learned our lesson and since, haven’t strayed too far from tradition.
The biggest change to the artwork took place in 1996 when we modified the design to include a stylized ribbon in commemoration of Collin Street’s 100 year anniversary.
The Time Without a Tin
We know it may be hard to believe, but there was a time when Collin Street didn’t package our cakes in metal tins. Instead, our cakes were packaged in cardboard and sometimes wooden boxes. When was this you ask? In the early 1940s, when WWII was in full swing and wartime rations caused metal shortages across the country. Collin Street ceased using tins to assist with the war effort and resumed packing our fruitcake in metal containers once the war was over.
Recent Redesign
Later in the twentieth century, we began playing around with the shape of our tins with the intention of increasing their collectibility factor. We altered the tin’s lid to have an embossed or slightly elevated edge. However, while these embossed lids were attractive, they were impractical as they were impossible to stack.
Recently, we set out to rectify this issue and are now proud to announce Collin Street Bakery fruitcake tins are 100% stackable. We’ve eliminated the embossed edges and returned to a flat-top design. No more topsy-turvy tin towers; only stable, stacked fruitcake storage.
NEW! DeLuxe® Fruitcake Packaging
Now, if you’re into collecting tins, take note! We have a total of eight unique designs used to package our variety of cakes, pies, and cookies. Most of our products have their own signature looks, which remain unchanged from year to year. Our DeLuxe®️ Fruitcake, however, receives some special treatment depending on when it’s purchased.
For a majority of the year, when you order a Deluxe® Fruitcake, it comes packaged in a white tin with red lettering. But come holiday time, our DeLuxe® receives a festive upgrade. Starting around Thanksgiving, our fruitcakes come packaged in our iconic red tin. Heavy with Christmas imagery, we use it primarily during the holidays to capture the spirit of the season.
