Sanders Confectionery facts for kids

Sanders Chocolates is a famous American company that makes delicious chocolates and other sweet treats. It was started by Fred Sanders on June 17, 1875. For many years, Sanders had lots of stores, especially around the Great Lakes area. People loved their candies, fudge toppings, baked goods, and desserts. Sanders is especially well-known for its unique bumpy cake and yummy hot fudge cream puffs.

History

How Sanders Began

The company was founded by Frederick Sanders Schmidt, who was born in Germany. He opened his first candy store in Detroit on June 17, 1875. He used his middle name, Sanders, for the company. His first shop was actually in Chicago. But it moved to Detroit after a big fire in Chicago in 1871.

Soon, Sanders started selling ice cream. Then they added baked goods and sweet cream sodas. In 1891, a very famous store called the "Pavilion of Sweets" opened. It had a cool red and white awning and a tower. Later, this store moved and was called the "Palace of Sweets."

Famous Treats and Growth

Many people say Fred Sanders invented the ice cream float. The story goes that his cream went bad, so he used ice cream in a cream soda instead. Sanders' hot fudge, made from a family recipe, became super popular. They are also famous for their bumpy cake. This cake has thick ridges of chocolate ganache over buttercream.

As the company grew, it became the top candy company in Detroit. They had many neighborhood stores. Some stores even had counters where you could get light lunches and soda fountain drinks.

The Factory Years

From 1941 to 1994, Sanders made their candies and other products at a factory in Highland Park, Michigan. At its busiest, about 300 people worked there. The factory used to get fresh milk from a nearby "Cow Palace." But city rules changed, so they couldn't do that anymore. In 1994, the company had to sell the factory. The ceilings were too low for new machines. The old factory later burned down in 2012.

By 1962, Fred Sanders' great-grandson, John Sanders, took over. The company was making over $20 million a year. They had 111 stores and sold products in malls and grocery stores across the country. Many old items from Sanders' history are shown at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Innovations

Sanders was one of the first businesses in Detroit to be open on Sundays. Even though it made money, Fred Sanders eventually closed on Sundays. The Detroit Historical Society says Sanders was a leader in many ways, including:

• Starting the first carry-out service.
• Changing from tall counters to lower, table-height seating.
• Using dry ice to keep ice cream cold.

Sanders was also among the first in Detroit to use electric motors for their equipment. This was a new technology back then. The motors often broke down. Henry Ford, who later started the Ford Motor Company, was a young mechanic. He often helped fix these motors for Sanders.

Challenges and New Owners

Financial Struggles

In the 1970s and 1980s, Sanders faced tough times. They had more competition and struggled financially. They even had to close their main store downtown. In 1979, Stephen A. Horn became the company's president. He was the first president who was not part of the Sanders family.

The company was in danger of running out of money. This was because of a tough economy in Detroit and Michigan. Also, the cost of sugar and chocolate went up. In 1981, the company had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This helped protect them from lawsuits from over 700 creditors. At that time, Sanders had 1200 employees and 50 stores. In 1988, a court approved a plan for Country Home Bakery to buy Sanders' assets. This plan was offered by Sanders' employees' union.

New Ownership

In 2002, Morley Candy Makers, another candy company from Michigan, bought the Sanders name and its original recipes. They added Sanders' products to their own line. Country Home Bakery, which no longer owned Sanders, was bought by J&J Snack Foods in 2004.

In 2018, Sanders became part of Kar's Nuts. Kar's Nuts bought Morley and Sanders that year. In 2021, Kar's and Sanders joined under a new company name, Second Nature Brands. This company was then bought by a UK-based company called CapVest Limited in 2022.

Legacy

By 2014, there were only nine Sanders shops left in the Detroit area. However, two more stores operated on Mackinac Island, Michigan. By 2016, Sanders was growing and becoming a popular dessert and candy brand across the country.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States caused the company to close all but three of its remaining stores in Detroit. After this, Sanders changed its business plan. They saw that many people wanted their products online. So, they started focusing more on online sales and home delivery services.