The phone number on the 1950s postcard still works and a few minutes later I was talking to the owner of Wards Pastry, Walter Hohman. The bakery has been around since the 1920s and owned by the Hohman family for approximately 50 years.
Walter is the grandson of Charles Hohman, the original collector of the cookie jars and the one responsible for the postcard. I loved hearing that Walter has kept his grandfather's collection and stills adds to it today.
Yes, the original jars are still on display in the bakery, with new ones added when Walter finds a cute jar he doesn't have. He doesn't buy because of a jar's collectibility, the jar has to appeal to him by being fun or being a really great bargain.
Walter said he has perfected the art of cruising yard sales at 30 mph and still able to spot cookie jars for sale. In fact he recently bought a much-sought after jar for $2.
