Chocolate has long been a favorite treat. In Mexico and South America, ancient civilizations turned the cocoa beans into a chocolate drink. However, it was not until the 16th century that the Spaniards introduced chocolate to the countries of Europe. Another couple of centuries passed before chocolate began to appear in the United States. The year was 1765, and it marked the beginning of a very close relationship between the American public and their chocolate stores.
John Hannon and Dr. James Baker – 1765
Chocolate made its formal debut in the United States when John Hannon, an Irish chocolatier, down on his luck, made the decision to import cocoa beans from the West Indies. He had them directed to his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Here, with the help of his associate, Dr. James Baker, a Harvard graduate, he built the country’s first chocolate mill. Their first product was to become world famous. It was BAKER’S ® chocolate. Together, the two men had established a chocolate dynasty – one that would outlive them both.
Chicago Embraces Chocolate
Like many other Americans, Chicagoans fell in love with chocolate. In fact, they took to sweets in a big way both devouring and producing the sweet treats. Even the devastation of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire failed to dampen the desire to produce and eat candy. Before the fire, Charles F. Gunther had sold his caramels out of his shop on Clark Street. He rebuilt, his large factory premises making a statement of survival and determination on 212 State Street. His candy shop – on the street level, was famous in the city for its display of Gunther’s unusual and sometimes historical artifacts.
The love of candy found clear expression in the Columbian Exposition held in 1893. The buildings featured a vast array of agricultural and technological wonders. It was also the perfect place to showcase candy from the various candy and chocolate factories stores located in the city. With approximately 26 million visitors in attendance, it was an excellent place to find the latest in sweet products, including those by non-local makers such as Walter Baker & Company. The exhibits and samples proved to be an inspiration to many famous chocolatiers and candy makers, including Milton Hershey. As for the influence on the city’s own producers and shops, the city, in the early 1900s, had taken on the title “Candy Capital of the World.” This stood to reason for it was home to more than 1,000 companies, candy shops and chocolate stores. In fact, Chicago was responsible for forming the association responsible for setting confectionary standards the National Confectionery Association.
Chicago, Candy Factories and Chocolate Stores
Even prohibition failed to dampen the demand for chocolate. The local brewery, Schlitz Brewery, converted several of their taverns in the city into candy and chocolate shops. Brewing ingredients, such as malt, found their way into chocolate confections. Chicago has been nothing but adaptable, making its role in the production of candy and its subsequent selling in candy shops and chocolate stores a historical tale worth repeating and a saga that continues today.