Candy Capital — A Chicago Stories Documentary

Chicago famously has a sweet tooth, and why wouldn’t it? For much of the twentieth century, Chicago reigned supreme as the “Candy Capital of the World.” From Cracker Jack and M&Ms, to Snickers and Lemon Heads, many of the world’s most well-known sweets originated in the city. At its peak, 100 Chicago candy companies, including Wrigley, Mars, and Ferrara produced a third of all candy in the United States and employed more than 25,000 people. But however all-American this world of confection may appear, it was immigrants who came to Chicago in the nineteenth century who helped mold the industry.

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#ChicagoStoriesWTTW

[williamhiller]

My grandfather emigrated from Germany around 1900, moved to Chicago, learned the art of candy making, and ran a confectionary the rest of his life.

[ruthjesse]

I was a Machine Operator at Nestle Beich in Bloomington, IL. I wrapped Beich’s Crunch, Almond, Peanut, & Carmel Bars for Fund Raising. Then my Line also wrapped Nestle Crunch Bar & also Crunch Mini Bar. I met a man there at Nestlé Beich that had been there for quite some time and he was a machinist, and after a few years We Married, and Bob was my Machinist as well😆😃. I Wrap the Bars and He kept our Machines running. We had a wonderful life with Our Family & Nestle Family As Well Bob worked for 25 yrs there & I was there for 30 yrs. Our Son also Hired In and worked Laffy Taffy As A Cook. We Lived Happily Ever After with Candy In Our Heart & Souls.
After We Both had Retired Ferraro Company bought out Nestle USA in Bloomington, IL
Wonderful Documentary!!!!

[Philtration]

I lived on the other side of Cicero Ave from the Brach's factory and the place was gigantic.
When the wind was blowing towards the west the whole neighborhood smelled like chocolate covered cherries.

[joannparent]

I grew up in Chicago and am still amazed we grew up with our teeth.

[edwardmathews]

My grandfather was a candy maker in Milwaukee and he would always make us taffy pulls and trays of puffed rice with boiled corn syrup and always had a buffet drawer full of penny candy. He never went a day without Bazooka bubble gum. We had so much fun at his house back in the day. I was raised to be a sugar addict with a mouth full on cavities and have had an adult life of unraveling this addiction. Life was sweet then, but I am so much better without sugar

[breakthechains]

Chicago has the most colorful history. There's no other city that has contributed so much to our modern world. Another unbelievable story. 👍

[wendywright]

Riding down the Eisenhower guessing what Ferra-pan was making by the smell 😂good times

[paulasmall]

I was born and raised in Chicago. It's a beautiful city. Chicago is like food central it offers the best vanities of food.

[jedpeeler]

My mother told me that, by 1937, she was working for Mars Candy, then Kraft Cheese in Chicago. There was no depression for those who wanted to work. Curtiss Candy Co. was also hiring her friends. Back then, Chicago was a German-American city. I can remember that, even from my youth in the 1950s. Hard working people!

[WAL_DC-B]

I used to work as a locomotive engineer for the Soo Line/Canadian Pacific Railroad and often took freight trains on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage that passed by the east side of the huge Brach's candy factory on the north side. There was a steam pipe that exhausted from the Brach's plant very near these tracks (about 10 feet above the ground). Every time you'd pass that steam pipe with your southbound train, you'd get a nice, sweet smell of what seems like a whole bunch of candies rolled into one (which was pretty much the case). It broke my heart when that Brach's plant was closed and later torn down if anything just for that delicious experience alone.

[roberthepburn-grfq]

I miss the brachs candy section what a blast it was to be able to pick your own pieces

[eunicestone]

I used to love the smell outside when leaf candy company made the grape flavor candy. The whole city smelled like sweet grapes.

[soniatriana]

Wow! I not absolutely no idea that Chicago had this significant role in American history! But I totally understand it, now that I truly saw the strategic & significance of its pivotal railway transportation hub!! No wonder so many innovative idea/businesses were created there!! This series of documentaries is phenomenal — thank you!!

[zyxw]

My friend's English grandfather actually invented the MnM before it was named that. He sold the idea and that was the candy that Forest Mars discovered. My friend's grandfather never received credit for it.

[theboyisnotright]

When i was in college i worked the graveyard at Brochs, yes Brochs. We made gummy bears and worms. Also the marshmallow filled chocolate Santas, Easter bunnys, or whatever. Fun place to work actually. And snelled divine😊. This was in Winona Minnesota. Also nicely in the summer the AC was cranked. If the AC ever went out we would have been knee deep in melted chocolate 😂😂😂. Later they did get bought by Brachs. Good times😊

[tarasaurus]

This series has some of my absolute favorite documentaries, it's so good

[AmberWool]

My grandmother went to Chicago because she had a boyfriend in Southern Illinois. She worked in a candy factory and married that boyfriend.

[Rinconmaniac]

As a Canadian, I find the whole history of Chicago quite amazing! So many issues that city overcame. Many reputable companies where based in Chicago. One of my favourites was Schwinn. I loved the krate bikes from the 60's &70's.

[vickidalton]

My father retired from mars after 35 years. My mother also worked there and it was where they met. My sister also worked there in the summers during her college years.

[loriloristuff]

We lived in Lakeview BEFORE it was fancy! Monday through Friday, the Reeds Company made a different flavor hard candy, and Monday through Friday, the neighborhood was fragranced with cinnamon, root beer, mint, lemon- lovely!!!!