The iconic Cupid Candies shop in Oak Lawn, a landmark on Chicago’s Southern Side, will shut after 64 wonderful years on Sunday, Sept. 27.
By Lorraine Swanson , Patch Staff
OAK LAWN, IL — Say it ain’t therefore! Cupid sweets will shut after 64 years on 95th Street in Oak Lawn. One of many final associated with iconic old-line candy stores in the South Side, Cupid Candies, 4709 95th St., will shut its doorways on Sunday.
Cupid Candies had been established in 1936 by the Paul that is late Stefanos. Their sibling, Leo, would carry on to invent the Dove bar. The store that is first at 79th Street and Ashland Avenue in the Southern Side, where just fudge, toffee and popcorn had been offered. By 1940, Paul and their spouse, Pauline, exposed http://mail-order-bride.net/asian-brides/ another shop at 3207 W. 63rd St., along side a manufacturing that is small, based on the organization’s internet site.
The household proceeded to cultivate Cupid Candies, transferring 1943 to 3143 W. St that is 63rd Chicago.
The business expanded once again in 1956 having a plant that is new 7637 S. Western Ave., where in fact the candy factory still runs today.
The operated and family-owned Cupid Candies produced quality chocolates, pea pea pea nuts, sweets and ice cream from the factory on Western Avenue in Gresham. The belated creator’s son, John Stefanos, is the business president.
Visiting the Oak Lawn shop on Thursday afternoon, the racks remained well stocked with the hand-dipped, classic candy lines, such as for instance Turks — crisp pecans and soft caramel groups dipped in milk chocolate — so called since the title Turtles had been trademarked, and cream and butter fudge made daily. It absolutely was barely the “everything must get” liquidation scavenging we have grown used to.
Under cup had been rows of chocolate ointments of all of the varieties, chewy facilities, nut groups and confections, each having its very own distinctive swirl on top. A worker was opening boxes of big, red strawberries inside the ice cream parlor.
Since 1956, the Oak Lawn Cupid Candies — having its traditional ice cream parlor and soda water water fountain — ended up being where you stopped by to choose a box up of Turks to bring to your North Side loved ones on xmas, or enjoyed a sundae and a malted after a film during the Coral Theatre.
The Orland Park store, at 9420 W. 143rd St., will continue to be available, since will the Cupid Candies factory on Western Avenue when you look at the Southern Side Gresham community.
Stephanie Hart, the property owner and discovered of Brown glucose Bakery in Chicago, bought out of the historic candy that is 84-year-old on Western Avenue in June. Her Brown glucose bakery is just a popular destination for black colored meals tradition within the town.
Hearing that John Stefanos ended up being interested in a customer, Hart bought the candies that are cupid for $500,000, employing a grant she received through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic chance, BlackBusiness com reported.
Hart additionally acquired the legal rights to Cupid Candies’ brand and items. Plans are to mix the 2 brands together.
In accordance with BlackBusiness com, the 20-plus workers regarding the candy business will always be on to make all of the ice chocolate and cream services and products of Cupid sweets and cakes of Brown Sugar Bakery.
But not because cool as relaxing across the soft drink water fountain for a hot summer time afternoon, fans will nevertheless be able to purchase a common Cupid Candies online. The Cupid sweets tradition will stay using their original key family members recipes, designed to use just the best, premium ingredients.
If you wish to have sundae for lunch or grab that Christmas time package of Turks, Cupid Candies will likely to be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 to Sept. 27.
MODIFICATION: the organization reached away to Patch to allow us understand that the Orland Park shop at 9420 W. 143rd St. will stay available. Very good news.