The Village Company Information

Originally known as Minnetonka, Inc., the Village Company (TVC) has a long and rich heritage in the personal care market. Robert Taylor started Minnetonka in 1964 by making soap in his garage. Minnetonka grew to include brands like Softsoap, Checkup Toothpaste, Vitabath, Village Bath, Claire Burke and Rigaud. Minnetonka's biggest contribution to the fragrance world was in 1980, when Minnetonka paid $1 Million for Calvin Klein Cosmetics. Minnetonka was responsible for the introduction of Obsession and Eternity fragrances. In 1987 Minnetonka's Village Bath and Softsoap brands were acquired by Colgate-Palmolive. In 1989, Unilever acquired the rest of Minnetonka for $367 Million, purely for the Calvin Klein fragrances. Unilever sold the rest of the Minnetonka line to Japanese company, Tsumura. A new company, Minnetonka Brands, was founded in 1993 by former Softsoap execs who re-acquired the rights to the Village Bath and the Sesame Street toiletry brands from Colgate-Palmolive. Minnetonka Brands changed its name to The Village Company in 2005. Today, TVC is a privately held, rapidly growing producer and marketer of some of the country’s most endearing and enduring heritage brands. Brands include Mr. Bubble®, the #1 bubble bath brand in children’s bath; Village Naturals Therapy™ bath & body products; Soft & Dri® deodorant; Dep® hair gel; and HALLU® bath and body products. The Village Company’s brands are widely distributed through leading food, drug and mass retailers as well as online.