I looked forward to the Helms truck just as much as the ice cream truck. My fav were the sugar cookies. Things we lost 😔 I feel blessed for being born in 51. A kid in the 50's. teen in the 60's and a young adult in the 70's. The perfect age for those decades. I wish life had a reset button. I would never leave those years.
I'm so glad I grew up with Helms!! Everything on those trucks was the best and freshes you could get. I had no idea the old bakery was still alive and doing well. my kingdom for some of the original bread, not this undersized stale crap they sell in the markets today! Yes, there are a lot of us still around that know how much smaller the loaves are being made today!!
Growing up in Glendora, I remember that whistle well. As well as the smell of the donut drawer being opened. Some things you never forget. What can I get for a quarter? Back then, there was an answer.
My dad bought a Helms' truck in 1968. He needed a van to transport our family of eleven. Some of us peeled off the letters and he repainted it white on the top and blue on the bottom. He put windows on both sides and a bench seat along each side. There was enough room to even invite a couple friends along on beach trips!
Our truck was that snub nose coach. Helms distributed placards to put in your window so the truck would know to stop at your house. My grandma lived on Helms Ave (north side). The Helms employee parking lot was next to her house. The smell of baking bread was so delicious. Helms would give tours of the bakery to school groups. I loved their chocolate donuts without the frosting. I have such good memories of Helms. We were lucky to grow up with the smell of Pioneer bakery where my mom would buy sourdough bread.
My favorite was the chocolate eclairs…SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!!!!! As soon as those back panel doors opened up you’d get the waft of fresh (some of it still warm!) baked goodies that made you salivate like Pavlov’s dog!!! Those beautiful real wood drawers would glide open and WHAM!!! Ain’t life grand?!?! It really was back then…
My mom used to get bread from Helm's bakery. In elementary school we had a field trip to Helm's bakery. It was huge. We got a small loaf of bread, a package of little powdered doughnuts and a paper Helm's truck. I loved the jelly doughnuts and the cream filled cupcakes. You didn't mention the Helm's Bakery became the Antiques Guild after they went out of bussines first.
I loved Helm's bakery! The trucks would always come down our street and we would always get their Lemon filled donuts. Pure heaven!! Great memories! Thanks!
I worked in that building for a few years in the '80s, when it was The Antique Guild. Possibly the best years of my life, I really enjoyed working there. Having grown up in Wisconsin, I never had the opportunity to enjoy any Helms products, though.
I grew up in Orange County and remember the Helms Bakery trucks very well. We usually didn't see them during the week because we were at school. But on those days school was out, we'd hear the whistle and start bugging our Mom to get us something from the truck. We would rush outside with Mom and flag down the truck. She would get the bread and other baked staples while we waited eagerly for the doughnuts, cookies and other sweets. I remember the driver would scratch his head while he opened and closed the various drawers while looking for his products. And each drawer being opened emitted that smell of fresh baked goods that just made our stomachs rumble with anticipation. Our Mom always didn't have the cash to pay for all her purchases, so the driver had her name written down in a book and kept a running total of what she owed. Those were some good times and some delicious snacks!
I remember coming back to Los Angeles for a visit in 1974, after moving to San Francisco in 1970, and hearing that Helms had closed. I think that might've been my first lesson in "Nothing lasts forever" Yes, for me the bonnet yellow and dark navy Chevrolet panel trucks. I feel sorry for my contemporaries from the East who grew up eating "Krispy Kreme" donuts To borrow a quote from one of my favorite films, partially filmed in Pasadena; "Krispy Kreme donuts are to eatin' what telephone books are to readin' "
When I was a kid we lived in Costa Mesa, and my dad used a Helms whistle to call me home when the street lights came on. I can still hear that dual tone sound bringing all the good memories back. Our neighbors were always confused why the bakery truck was at our house every night!
2:38 I remember that truck when I was a kid growing up in the 60's. I remember when they would pull out those long drawers and the smell of fresh glaze donuts, were heaven. I still remember the smell. You bet I was a good boy up until that truck pulled up.
What a great video!!!, still smell those chocolate and powdered doughnuts from the truck tray, and all of those other wax candy lips in the other tray, while waiting for our Crown School bus in 1967 Alhambra, CA. Absolutely loved my youth. We were poor, but happy. Great neighborhood, and memories. What the F happened????
When working as a large LTL truck carrier manager I went to roll up an empty trailer door. Upon raising the rollup my senses were overwhelmed by that same fragrance everyone of a certain age may recall. The sweet traces of sugar, yeast, chocolate and icing that were immediately upon you as soon as the Helm's delivery man opened the two swing doors of the golden Chevrolet panel truck. I stood at the open trailer door and allowed myself a small time travel trip back to the 1950s. My Great grandmother and I (my height was right at the drawer that held the creampuffs) standing by those treasured sliding shelves. As the other ladies approached the driver took the payment for fresh potato bread. Suddenly I was back in the present. Indeed I and others grew up in magic time in Southern California. Like music can transport us back in time, so can certain other things. Maybe others might remember main street when each store had it's own distinctive smell.
That's great, I remember outside we'd be and you could smell the bread. They pulled out the big racks @ 2:45 As kids we loved the smells. and as you say the good humor ice creme truck and Milk Man in their clean white pants and shirts. A time when things tasted great, No fast foods yet and people were slim, that was before they took out all the much needed nutrients out of all foods and BEFORE cows were injected with growth hormones and antibiotics and I'd say it was around the time when boys were developing breasts from the toxins in the foods. 50s&60s were a good family life to an extent.
I remember the Helms truck, the only truck my mom would let me buy off of. It's a shame they are gone. I heard some fancy chef is going to " reopen the Helms bakery". Sad, gentrification of former company that served affordable, and good baked goods. Now that famous brand will serve foo foo baked goods, and high priced tripple late moca drinks with extra cream. I lived in a latino area of town, and our family didn't have alot of money, but managed to get baked bread off the Helms truck. The bakery will now serve to people that didn't even know of what a Helms truck was. SAD.
Wow. So when Helms went out of business in the late 60s, what donut truck was coming around our neighborhood of Huntington Parkin the early 80s? I remember the donut man in a panel truck sliding out the drawer of donuts to sell…
+chris case Wow we didn’t know that! Amazing . There was another bakery in Montebello so that may have made those runs. Thanks for watching and spread the word!
Their CREAM PUFFS were the best.....The GOLDEN YEARS of AMERICANA........The "HELMSMEN" statue is at Burton Chase Park, in MARINA DEL-REY, California, it used to be displayed at the bakery......👍
In 1971 I worked for a company that rented the Helms Bakery building. It was vacant and completely empty, but you could still smell the bread.
+Don MacAdam that’s incredible ! Great that it got successfully re-purposed. We love these stories!
The chevy panel trucks with the long drawers is what I remember. The smell when those back doors opened was heavenly!!
I remember going on field trips in the early 60's to Helms Bakery and getting the small loaves of bread and the smells of the bakery yum.
+Captain99P that’s a great memory . The smell is still in the trucks often.
I looked forward to the Helms truck just as much as the ice cream truck. My fav were the sugar cookies.
Things we lost 😔
I feel blessed for being born in 51. A kid in the 50's. teen in the 60's and a young adult in the 70's. The perfect age for those decades. I wish life had a reset button. I would never leave those years.
I was born in 58! Good times.
Amen!
I'm so glad I grew up with Helms!! Everything on those trucks was the best and freshes you could get. I had no idea the old bakery was still alive and doing well. my kingdom for some of the original bread, not this undersized stale crap they sell in the markets today!
Yes, there are a lot of us still around that know how much smaller the loaves are being made today!!
Thanks for the memories . Spread the word . Any other ideas from your youth for a segment .
@f u yes we will do Morano Beach! Love that story and have been to the location . Such a great legacy
Oh the wonderful memories!!!! I was 11 yrs old when they went out of business.
The whole neighborhood came outside when they showed up!
+@theonewhomjesusloves1005 really fun memories! Thanks for watching!
I was never permitted to buy anything from them but sure did love the sugar smell from the trucks inside when he'd open the drawers to the donuts.
Thanks Cheryl ! Your folks were ahead of their time . Healthy !
Growing up in Glendora, I remember that whistle well. As well as the smell of the donut drawer being opened. Some things you never forget.
What can I get for a quarter?
Back then, there was an answer.
+Bill Lonee absolutely Bill! We had them in OC too. Jelly Donut was my fave!
A Glazed donut was only 7 cents in late 50's and early 1960's
The Helms bakery truck was the absolute best smell in the world
+CJ 1419 the smell was still in the truck we saw restored and I’m told is still in some parts of the building in Culver City!
When I was a kid we always looked forward to the Helms bakery truck coming down our street. Wish they had something like this where I live now.
+@jcwolfe1751 I know such great memories! Hard to do today I guess grub hub is the closest ?
My dad bought a Helms' truck in 1968. He needed a van to transport our family of eleven. Some of us peeled off the letters and he repainted it white on the top and blue on the bottom. He put windows on both sides and a bench seat along each side. There was enough room to even invite a couple friends along on beach trips!
+@PatZeman so great! A bit of history! Thanks for watching!
I used to live in Rosemead Calif, And i remember a helms truck used to still be selling donuts on the 80s
Great story, and that is a great building, really nice what they did there.
Thanks Kim, hope all is well. Let’s catch up soon.
Our truck was that snub nose coach. Helms distributed placards to put in your window so the truck would know to stop at your house. My grandma lived on Helms Ave (north side). The Helms employee parking lot was next to her house. The smell of baking bread was so delicious. Helms would give tours of the bakery to school groups.
I loved their chocolate donuts without the frosting. I have such good memories of Helms. We were lucky to grow up with the smell of Pioneer bakery where my mom would buy sourdough bread.
That’s such great history! I loved the jelly donuts
My dad worked for Helms Bakery Culver City for years. He retired in the early 60’s.
+Sharon Montrief how great . Love those trucks and fresh baked goods! A proud legacy !
Precious memories of Long ago
+@aigailimaveletaloola8724 are you a local? Must be if around did this . Me too! Thanks for watching !
My favorite was the chocolate eclairs…SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!!!!! As soon as those back panel doors opened up you’d get the waft of fresh (some of it still warm!) baked goodies that made you salivate like Pavlov’s dog!!! Those beautiful real wood drawers would glide open and WHAM!!! Ain’t life grand?!?! It really was back then…
+@ddlp8252 it is a true sensation memory for sure ! Thanks for watching
@@bestofcaltvthe best memories of my happy childhood
I remember Helms and George,he was our guy in Buena Park. So nice. Great memory,thanks for the video.
+Deborah Conkle you bet Deborah, thanks for watching . Great memories! Spread the word and share anything else you’d like to see us cover.
My mom used to get bread from Helm's bakery. In elementary school we had a field trip to Helm's bakery. It was huge. We got a small loaf of bread, a package of
little powdered doughnuts and a paper
Helm's truck. I loved the jelly doughnuts and the cream filled cupcakes.
You didn't mention the Helm's Bakery became the Antiques Guild after they went out of bussines first.
I loved Helm's bakery! The trucks would always come down our street and we would always get their Lemon filled donuts. Pure heaven!! Great memories! Thanks!
+@bobsebring2819 thanks for watching I loved having that whistle blow!
I worked in that building for a few years in the '80s, when it was The Antique Guild. Possibly the best years of my life, I really enjoyed working there. Having grown up in Wisconsin, I never had the opportunity to enjoy any Helms products, though.
+Craig Corson that’s great to hear . Thanks for watching
I grew up in Orange County and remember the Helms Bakery trucks very well. We usually didn't see them during the week because we were at school. But on those days school was out, we'd hear the whistle and start bugging our Mom to get us something from the truck. We would rush outside with Mom and flag down the truck. She would get the bread and other baked staples while we waited eagerly for the doughnuts, cookies and other sweets. I remember the driver would scratch his head while he opened and closed the various drawers while looking for his products. And each drawer being opened emitted that smell of fresh baked goods that just made our stomachs rumble with anticipation. Our Mom always didn't have the cash to pay for all her purchases, so the driver had her name written down in a book and kept a running total of what she owed. Those were some good times and some delicious snacks!
The smell was amazing !
Chevy panel trucks in '67 '68 in Port Hueneme Oxnard area. I still to this day crave their donuts.
+@grtwhtnrth the best! Thanks for watching
I remember coming back to Los Angeles for a visit in 1974, after moving to San Francisco in 1970, and hearing that Helms had closed. I think that might've been my first lesson in "Nothing lasts forever"
Yes, for me the bonnet yellow and dark navy Chevrolet panel trucks.
I feel sorry for my contemporaries from the East who grew up eating "Krispy Kreme" donuts
To borrow a quote from one of my favorite films, partially filmed in Pasadena;
"Krispy Kreme donuts are to eatin' what telephone books are to readin' "
+Kid Mack they see a favorite when I was a kid for sure !
When I was a kid we lived in Costa Mesa, and my dad used a Helms whistle to call me home when the street lights came on. I can still hear that dual tone sound bringing all the good memories back. Our neighbors were always confused why the bakery truck was at our house every night!
+Jack Spellerberg amazing Jack that whistle is so iconic when you hear it. Even more so for you . Thanks for sharing that great story . Fun!
2:38 I remember that truck when I was a kid growing up in the 60's. I remember when they would pull out those long drawers and the smell of fresh glaze donuts, were heaven. I still remember the smell. You bet I was a good boy up until that truck pulled up.
+@Moondoggy1941 amazing time wasn’t it? Good memories. Thanks for watching!
What a great video!!!, still smell those chocolate and powdered doughnuts from the truck tray, and all of those other wax candy lips in the other tray, while waiting for our Crown School bus in 1967 Alhambra, CA. Absolutely loved my youth. We were poor, but happy. Great neighborhood, and memories. What the F happened????
+Reel T Rides thanks fun one to do. The stores product was cheaper than Helms an it slowly stopped
I remember when I was a kid we would by donuts they were always fresh.
+Phyllis Hedrick the best particularly the Jelly ones for me! Thanks for watching Phyllis, share with friend if you get a chance .
Helms truck, 5 inch thick LA Times on Sundays. All gone.
+maximus I know so much missing . Did you like Good Humor ice cream and we had Adohr Farms milkman too!
Great video. Glad to see the building and some of the trucks have survived. Next time I'm in L.A. I'll swing by.
+Mark Danielczyk thanks Mark, it is amazing . We need more of this re-purposing of historic buildings. Better for all. Spread the word!
When working as a large LTL truck carrier manager I went to roll up an empty trailer door.
Upon raising the rollup my senses were overwhelmed by that same fragrance everyone of a certain age may recall.
The sweet traces of sugar, yeast, chocolate and icing that were immediately upon you as soon as the Helm's delivery man opened the two swing doors of the golden Chevrolet panel truck.
I stood at the open trailer door and allowed myself a small time travel trip back to the 1950s. My Great grandmother and I (my height was right at the drawer that held the creampuffs) standing by those treasured sliding shelves. As the other ladies approached the driver took the payment for fresh potato bread.
Suddenly I was back in the present. Indeed I and others grew up in magic time in Southern California. Like music can transport us back in time, so can certain other things.
Maybe others might remember main street when each store had it's own distinctive smell.
+@LesterMoore
+@bestofcaltv so great Lester like poetry !
Oh man the Helms bakery truck🤤🤤I grew up in Santa Ana and there was a Helms bakery next to Cox electronics on Dyer Rd before you went over the 55 fwy😎
+@johnreyes1749 fond memories for me too in Corona del Mar. loved the Jelly donuts!
The bakery closed in 68? But I remember the truck coming down my street in San Diego into the mid-70s I think. I was born in 68.
I saw remember the Helms man in Paramount and Southgate in Lakewood, California
+@rodneymacomber6337 wasn’t it great ! Loved the jelly donuts.
Dang Helms truck almost never came down our dead-end street in Lemon Grove.
+@roberthall5616 that’s awful! But I bet your games weren’t interrupted, like ours were on regular streets “CAR!”
They made it up the hill to Barstow.
+Lory Box they got around for sure . San Bernardino and Colton too! Thanks for watching Lory spread the word !
I remember the Helms Bakery truck ❣️We would be on our best behavior until the truck came. After that, all bets are off 😆.
+Melvia Sheppard it was a treat to behave for back then . Thanks for watching !
That's great, I remember outside we'd be and you could smell the bread.
They pulled out the big racks @ 2:45 As kids we loved the smells. and as you say the good humor ice creme truck and Milk Man in their clean white pants and shirts. A time when things tasted great, No fast foods yet and people were slim, that was before they took out all the much needed nutrients out of all foods and BEFORE cows were injected with growth hormones and antibiotics and I'd say it was around the time when boys were developing breasts from the toxins in the foods.
50s&60s were a good family life to an extent.
There were miniature Cardboard Helms Bakery Trucks that were folded into 3D.
+@CivicPalosVerdesEstates love that! Don’t remember those!
I remember the Helms truck, the only truck my mom would let me buy off of. It's a shame they are gone. I heard some fancy chef is going to " reopen the Helms bakery". Sad, gentrification of former company that served affordable, and good baked goods. Now that famous brand will serve foo foo baked goods, and high priced tripple late moca drinks with extra cream. I lived in a latino area of town, and our family didn't have alot of money, but managed to get baked bread off the Helms truck. The bakery will now serve to people that didn't even know of what a Helms truck was. SAD.
We had Helms trucks in Pacific Beach San Diego. More popular with a lot of kids than the ice cream truck.
+@spikespa5208 we loved it in Orange County!
David Shelby’s proper website :
criticalcarcare.com/
Wow. So when Helms went out of business in the late 60s, what donut truck was coming around our neighborhood of Huntington Parkin the early 80s? I remember the donut man in a panel truck sliding out the drawer of donuts to sell…
+@ramonjrusa I think k some drivers bought their own trucks and stocked them from other sources just to maintain the route.
Actually, all the way to San Diego.
+chris case Wow we didn’t know that! Amazing . There was another bakery in Montebello so that may have made those runs. Thanks for watching and spread the word!
Had 'em in Pacific Beach, San Diego in the early '60s Loved the mini single serving loaves!
They were also in San Diego.
+@barneyevans6940 fond memory right ?
My neighbor was a Helms Bakery driver……we thought its was the coolest job…..
Their CREAM PUFFS were the best.....The GOLDEN YEARS of AMERICANA........The "HELMSMEN" statue is at Burton Chase Park, in MARINA DEL-REY, California, it used to be displayed at the bakery......👍
+mike stang it’s there now? Wow love finding this lost and found treasures! We’ll go look !
@@bestofcaltv Yes, it's still there, overlooking the channel, gigantic statue in foul weather gear, you can NOT miss it. It's awesome.....
There was still a whistle Helms doughnut truck going down a certain Pico Rivera street in Southern California in 1972.....
+@davidhopeman9622 I think some of the drivers got to buy their trucks and be independent