The Garlic Press opened in 1974 as a cookware specialty store in a small space in downtown Normal, IL. In 1976 Dorothy Bushnell took over the business full time. In 1978 the store began to offer cooking classes in a nearby church kitchen. The classes provided a place to learn about cooking, but also a place to gather with friends and enjoy the passion of good food. The Garlic Press was the first downstate store to offer the revolutionary Cuisinart Food Processor. Near the same time in the 1970’s, the first issues of the Garlic Press Newsletter went to print to publicize the cooking classes, new products and events. The newsletter is still written, edited and laid-out by us (and still printed on the same “vintage” yellow paper stock from the 1970’s). In 1981, the Garlic Press moved a few doors down the street to its present location, more than tripling the space. At that time we added fresh whole bean coffee, a small food section and Bridal Registry to the mix.