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.
In 1987 Minnetonka's Village Bath and Softsoap brands were acquired by Colgate-Palmolive. In 1989, Unilever acquired the rest of Minnetonka. 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.