Much can be said for the long, distinguished life of Willard Kinzie, his many accomplishments and adventures.
The first mayor of the newly incorporated City of Barrie, the founder of one of Canada’s largest independently owned dairies, and an outdoor enthusiast who led thrilling expeditions worldwide — these are just a few of the ways Kinzie left his mark on this place.
But he was also among the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisees in Canada.
Most folks know the backstory of Harland Sanders and his fried chicken — a side business at a Kentucky gas station in 1930. His secret 11 herbs and spices recipe perfected by 1940, Sanders brought his famous chicken to Canada in 1953, and Kinzie brought it to Barrie in 1959.
Kinzie bought the Lakeview Dairy business at 185 Dunlop St. E. in 1947, growing the operation to include ownership of 52 dairies. The dairy, an older home known as the Creamery, was eventually demolished in order to build more modern facilities and offices, with more expansions in the future. Lakeview Dairy’s familiar powder-blue and white trucks, replacing the horse-drawn models, were a familiar sight around town and beyond.
Kinzie started his Kentucky Fried Chicken business in his Lakeview Dairy premises and, in 1961, the colonel himself visited Kinzie’s restaurant as part of his Canadian promotional tour. The popular southern fried chicken was a hit in Barrie and was sold at seemingly incredible prices by today’s standards: In 1963, an individual box was $1.35, a bucket was $3.75 and a barrel was $4.95.
Sanders visited our city again in 1965, and Barrie was ready. Large crowds of fans and children lined up to shake the hand of the man who created the delicious new fast food. The colonel met Mayor Les Cooke and a welcoming committee at city hall, where he signed the register. Following the official ceremony, Kinzie hosted the group at his Lakeview restaurant, where, naturally, Kentucky Fried Chicken was served to the guests.
Earlier that year, Sanders received the Horatio Alger Award (Canada) for his long service of helping more than 1,000 people start their own businesses. The colonel started a new career and life in Canada, moving in 1965 to a modest side-split bungalow in Mississauga, where he lived until he died in 1980.
Kentucky Fried Chicken continued to be a favourite in town. The first ‘take-home store’ opened on Bayfield Street across from A&P in 1970, with another planned for Essa Road. Prices remained constant: A three-piece box with all the trimmings was still $1.35. The 1970s also saw the introduction of the Tuesday Snak Pak — two pieces of finger-lickin’-good chicken and fries for only 79 cents. Down at the Lakeview Dairy location on Dunlop Street East, the restaurant boasted 200 feet of dock space, where boaters could tie up while enjoying a meal overlooking the bay.
Kinzie owned Lakeview Dairy, a much-beloved and fondly remembered, iconic Barrie business, until 1975.
