About Us

Soodhalter Plastics is a family owned plastics manufacturing business founded in 1949 and located in Los Angeles, California. Three generations of our family have supplied plastic & wood picks, stirrer straws, and swizzle sticks to America for 66 years. We are not a faceless corporation composed of divisions and departments. We are a small group of family members and dedicated employees taking care of our customer’s needs.

Why are we introducing a consumer sales website? We have received both letters and phone calls from consumers who cannot locate our products in their local stores. Customers frustrated that they have to purchase six colors of picks when they only need one color for their party. Scientific customers looking to purchase picks for research and testing in less than wholesale quantities. Our webstore provides a quick easy shopping experience for anyone. Plastic products are offered in both mixed and single color options. Factory direct sales allow us to offer better value to our customers.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at info@spparties.com or use the form at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you.    

OUR FOUNDER'S STORY

Frank Soodhalter was first and foremost an entrepreneur. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa near the turn of the century. Frank’s drive for success took him through the mid-west and south where he developed his sales skills as a travelling salesman. After serving  in France during World War I, Frank returned to the states with an even stronger desire to build something for himself and his new bride Flo. Frank and Flo eventually settled in Leesville, Louisiana with their two daughters Annette and Jackie. It was there that Frank opened his own general store. As the country entered World War II, Frank’s store became a gathering point for the service men and their families stationed at nearby Fort Polk.

By the late 1940’s with the war having come to an end, Frank seized the opportunity to embark on a new journey. He realized that the country was once again ready to entertain and celebrate. The story goes that one night after a casual evening out with his family, Frank picked up a wooden toothpick like he had a hundred times before. This time though he had an idea. What if instead of wood the pick was made out of plastic? A plastic pick that could be made in an assortment of colors. It was from this inspiration Frank made the decision to move his family west to California and start Soodhalter Plastics in 1949. His first product, the Pic-A-Pic is still part of our product line. From the “Mad Men” era 4-Aces to contemporary bamboo picks, we strive to embrace the future without forgetting the past.

Today, Frank’s granddaughter and grandson, Marla and David, continue the Soodhalter Plastics tradition. Offering disposable party, bar and picnic products for the retail consumer, food service, hospitality, and scientific industries.