THE SUCCESS STORY OF JOSEPH CROLLA

This is a success story. It started in Picinisco in the province of Frosinone Italy, in 1890 for it was there in that year, that Mr. Joseph Crolla was born.

As a young boy he came to Glasgow with his parents, where in Orr Street Bridgeton, they opened what was to be the first of the Crolla shops-a Name which is synonymous with ice-cream at its best.

After returning to Italy for two years the family came back to Glasgow. This time they opened a shop in London Road near Celtic Park. There young Joseph worked until he was 21 when he joined the Army.

He served with Heavy Artillery in Rome, and it was there in 1913 that he married.

With great assistance from his charming wife, Mr. Corolla opened their first shop in Clydebank, thereafter moving to Bridgeton in 1920-at 284 Main Street. Seven years later he opened a newsagent next door. He has never looked back.

In 1949 he started his own ice-cream factory in Bridgeton, and enjoys a reputation second to none for the quality of his product.

Like many flourishing businesses, his is very much a family affair. His daughter Eda and four sons, Dominic, Lawrence, Sammy and Archie, joined him in his venture and set about expanding the business. They supply ice-cream all over Scotland, even as far as Tiree.

The large fleet of vans-white with distinctive black and red markings on the side are well known. They are as hygienic as they look, each van being fitted with a wash-hand basin.

Today at the age of 71 Mr. Crolla takes a back seat in the administrative side of the business. He has earned the peace and quiet retirement brings and knows that the business is in the capable hands of his family.

Taken from the Eastern Standard 28 April 1961.