Fanny Farmer was an American candy manufacturer and retailer.[1]
Fanny Farmer was started in Rochester, New York, by Canadian politician and businessman Frank O'Connor in 1919, and grew to over 400 stores before being bought and consolidated.[1][2]
History
20th century
O'Connor had previously started the Laura Secord Candy Shops in Toronto, Ontario, in 1913. The company was named "Fanny Farmer" to exploit the exemplary reputation of one of America's foremost culinary experts, Fannie Farmer, who had died four years earlier; the company did not use her recipes, and she had nothing to do with the candy stores. The spelling of the first name was altered simply to "avoid confusion".[2]
Fanny Farmer stores shared a look that was similar to that of Chicago candy maker Fannie May.[3][4]
John D. Hayes was president of the company for many years, from its earliest years through the 1950s. He was a shrewd businessman, and guided the company through some difficult times. During the Depression, candy sales were dropping until he slashed retail prices, and kept the company in business.
Further reading
External links
References
- Renee Marton. The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink Oxford Companions, Oxford University Press, May 1, 2007, retrieved August 4, 2014^
- Alan Morrell. Whatever Happened To ... Fanny Farmer Candy? Democrat & Chronicle, Gannett, April 19, 2014, retrieved August 1, 2014^
- Leslie Goddard. Chicago's Sweet Candy History