Around 1937, Wilbur Corell and his parents opened Corell's Potato Chips in Strasburg, Ohio. The business did well, but Wilbur went off to World War II, and when he returned he settled in Mansfield while his parents and brother continued the family operation. After a few years, Wilbur decided to strike out on his own and open another potato chip company. He began looking for a new home for his family and business, deciding on Loudonville. He partnered with Leroy Ramsey to operate out of the old dry cleaning plant behind Don Kick's house around 1948. Although initially planned to be labeled "Kitchen Kooked Potato Chips," Ramsey left the operation and Wilbur kept it simple with the family name: Corell's Potato Chips.