Pickle Ball Gowns Company

The Pickle Ball Gowns Company, a company founded as John Pickle Clothing Company by John Pickle and Fotbot in 1900.

1879-1899
When John Pickle was about 10 years old, after he learned how to sew, he opened a shop near his house. In 1881, when John was 12, he advertised his shop to poor immigrants. The clothing was cheap, about $1 at the time ($27.56 today). But the most expensive was a $46 gown, which was washed in warm vinegar and soap. A man named Carl Salten offered to help him run the shop in 1888, and so it was turned into Pickle & Salten Gowns. In 1890, Carl's daughter joined the company, being only 11. In 1899, Carl's daughter married a man named Jacob Ball, and after the birth of Carl's grandson in 1900, they quit. But, Jacob Ball volunteered, and the Pickle Ball Gowns Company was founded.

1900-1930
The Pickle Ball Gowns Company sold what most shops considered very expensive clothes (normally priced $100-$350) at $26-$88. It was very popular, but then a hurricane struck in 1902. It struck John and Jacob's house as they were about 2 blocks between. Jacob later wrote in 1932: "Our houses were stricken, but amazingly survived one chicken, and we survived too. So, we shut down our company and waited to sew. Three months later, I restarted it, and my company was never hit. Well, at the time, I time,