Ribbon cutting ceremony with Jon and Curtis Wood, Mayor Scott Sanford, Dave Mitchell representing the Governor Tom Corbett and State Representative Kurt Sonney. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

The Brothers Wood Potato Chip Factory celebrated its Grand Opening on Saturday, January 28 in Corry Pa. The event featured a ribbon cutting by dignitaries and legislators, a tasting and a live viewing of the process in which the chips are created.

Brothers Wood: Curtis and Jon. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

Brothers Jon and Curtis Wood always dreamed of opening a potato chip factory and that concept recently became a reality. Jon, the owner of Mayville's WoodCrest Golf Course (woodcrestgolfclub.com) first looked at the business in 1992 but decided it wasn't possible to open at that time. So, he and his brother spent the following years planning until they knew exactly what they wanted. Five years passed and they revisited the idea and began producing the chips at the golf course.

They then decided to begin co-packaging with Troyer Farms. But, unfortunately Troyer Farms shut down the facility. So, the brothers then decided it was time to purchase the still in tact facility in Corry Pa. The brothers are still utilizing Troyer Farms employees who have been volunteering their time to help get the business started.

Freshly fried potato chips. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

“They have been completely so helpful down here,” said Jon. “We wouldn't have been able to do this without the help of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Troyer Farms people. They brought much experience with them from 15 years to 25 years. Right now they are volunteering but eventually when we start producing more they will come on board. My brother and I are in this together but they are really the ones who are making this go.”

The brothers plan on spending the next six months getting the facility ready and producing enough chips to get on the shelves at Wegmans, Tops and local stores.

Jon and Curtis believe in the product's ability to succeed based on the uniqueness of the chip. The process in which the chips are produced yields a chip unlike any other. Using corn oil and frying the thick sliced potatoes longer creates a thick, dark and crispy chip with great flavor.

Fresh potatoes. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

“I always hate it when you get to the bottom of a bag of chips and you find nothing but crumbs,” said Jon. “With our chips there are no crumbs.”

The brother's tag line for the chips goes like this, “We may be small potatoes, but once you take a swing at the Brothers Wood Potato Chips, you'll agree that we're a long drive from ordinary. Our Chips are a little darker, a little thicker and a little crispier than the average kettle cooked chip.”

The name Wood Chips came from the brother's last name. But, it also came from chopping trees on the golf course.

“One day I was out chopping trees on the golf course and I remember looking down and seeing wood shavings all over me and thought this would be a great idea for a potato chip,” said Jon. “People ask if they are really made out of wood but no they are potatoes.”

Eventually the Wood brothers will start producing some seasoned chips as well. But, they first want to get the original salted chips on the shelves for the community to try.

For more information visit thebrotherswoodcompany.com or call 716-789-CHIPS.