Company History
After working for a few years as a silver-measurer at Roden Brothers
Silversmiths in Toronto, Jack learned the art of glass-cutting in 1907. He later set up
shop cutting glass in the basement of his home at 212 Wychwood Ave. in Toronto. Purchasing
glass blanks in small numbers, Jack hand-cut the pieces in his basement workroom. He then
packed up the glassware in his car to show and sell his wares at jewelry and gift stores
in Toronto and in smaller towns around southern Ontario, including stores in Dufferin
County.
From these humble beginnings in 1912, Jack built his business strategy
upon providing quality cut glassware, sold through reputable stores, at prices accessible
to the average Canadian consumer. On these foundations, and due to grow
ing word-of-mouth praise for Corn Flower, the company grew and prospered. In
the late 1940s Pete Kayser built a permanent factory for his company at 102 Tycos Drive in
Toronto, complete with a product showroom.
Pete came on board to the family business in the mid 1940s. A former
flying instructor who had married Jack's only daughter, Lois, Pete's strong business sense
and his similar knack for anticipating consumer trends led W.J. Hughes & Sons Corn
Flower Limited into a new phase of expansion, from 1951 to 1988.
In this period of the company's history, many new and different glass
blanks were cut with the Corn Flower pattern. Under Pete's direction, many new lines, such
as "Epic," were produced. Corn Flower also began offering coordinating lines of
products such as trays and ovenware, to complement Corn Flower glass tableware. Into the
1970s the company also offered several lines of cut crystal, such as "Olympia,"
"Janessa," and "Northwood." Increased diversification of product
lines, consistent quality, and affordability, were the benchmarks of W.J. Hughes &
Sons Corn Flower Limited during these years of expansion.
The continuous 76-year business operation of W.J.
Hughes Corn Flower is a Canadian success story. Both Jack and his son-in-law Pete were
committed to the basic principles of quality and affordability, and their innovative
marketing made Corn Flower into a household term throughout Canada. Corn Flower cut glass
is cherished today by families who have handed down treasured pieces from generation to
generation, and as such, Corn Flower is widely collected today by individuals and
depression glass dealers.