Benaderet's Inc. was California's oldest pipe and tobacco store when it went out of business in March 1980. Sam Benaderet was a tobacconist from New York City who came to San Francisco to work at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. An immigrant to the United States from Turkey, Mr. Benaderet decided that he liked the West Coast's Mediterranean like climate. After the exposition closed, he stayed to open his own tobacco business. This new firm produced custom private-label cigarettes for men's clubs. A lavish retail store was opened in the late 1920's that quickly became a mecca for tobacco connoisseurs. There was something for every cigarette smoker: Russian Mouth Piece, Egyptian, English, Matchless Self-Lighting, even two small ladies' cigarettes named Petites and Harem Beauties. Of the many brands Mr. Benaderet produced, my favorite is California Cigarettes. California was packaged in a special box made for the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition, a glorious and colorful affair held on Treasure Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

Does the name Bea Benaderet ring a bell? Sam's daughter Beatrice was a radio and television actress who last starred in the 1960's TV sitcom Petticoat Junction. Bea died from lung cancer in 1968.