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Finninger's Catering Service was founded in 1968. However, the Finninger family has been meeting the food service needs of St. Louisans for over 100 years. Bakeries in north St. Louis were founded by my great grandparents and carried on by my grandparents, Charles and Clara Finninger at the Geraldine Sweet Shop. When World War II ended, Charles Finninger, Sr. and his son, Charles Finninger, Jr. founded a neighborhood grocery store in Walnut Park. Many years later, a customer of the grocery store asked Charles, Jr. if he would cater a small party. Being an entrepreneur, Charles said "Of course!" The "small" party was for 250 people, and thus, Finninger's Catering Service was born.
The catering business grew leaps and bounds with sometimes as many as 25 weddings and parties on a weekend. In addition, many corporations began to hire Finninger's for employee events and corporate functions.
Charles' entrepreneurial spirit continued to increase the Finninger's Catering arena. In 1973, Charles opened a banquet facility at Chambers and Halls Ferry Roads, known as The Gold Room. Soon, four more banquet facilities were opened, The Carnation Room, The Sunflower Room, The Orchid Room and The Rose Room. For almost 20 years the banquet business flourished.
As the neighborhood changed, so did the business model of Finninger's Catering. Charles ventured into the world of non-profit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels and Head Start programs. Finninger's Catering Service moved to a new location at 19th & Delmar. Soon Finninger's Catering was growing and had outgrown their downtown location.
In 2002, Charles and Cleo Finninger purchased the current home of Finninger's Catering at 6128 Bartmer Avenue. The 25,000 square foot building is the workplace for over 50 employees where nearly 9,000 meals a day are prepared.
On August 25, 2007, our founder, Charles Finninger, died and a new era at Finninger's Catering was born. Susan Akscin, Charles Finninger's niece, was elected President of Finninger's Catering in September 2007. Finninger's will always prepare the finest meals for the elderly and young children. However, the private catering specialty services are being renewed. Finninger's is known for its fine roast beef, but customers looking for specific menus will not be disappointed in any of Finninger's decadent creations!
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