Schrafft's facts for kids
| Founded | 1861 |
|---|---|
| Founder | William F. Schrafft |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Parent | Frank G. Shattuck Company (1929–1967) Helme Products (1967–1974) Gulf and Western Industries (1974–1981) American Safety Razor Company (1981–1984) |
The Schrafft Candy Company was a famous company that made candy, chocolate, and cakes. It started in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in a place called Sullivan Square. In 1861, Schrafft's was the first company to sell jelly beans in the United States. They even told people to send these candies to soldiers fighting in the American Civil War.
A well-known Schrafft's neon sign still lights up the sky in Boston. The building it sits on was once the main candy factory. Later, Schrafft's grew into a chain of restaurants in New York. They also opened motor inns and restaurants along the East Coast in the 1950s and 1960s.
Schrafft's Sweet History
Schrafft's began as a candy company in Boston in 1861. It was founded by William F. Schrafft. The company soon started opening restaurants too. By 1915, they had nine restaurants in Manhattan, New York. They also had one in Brooklyn and another in Syracuse, New York. Of course, they still had their main candy factory in Boston.
In 1929, the Frank G. Shattuck Company bought Schrafft's. The number of Schrafft's stores kept growing. They had 22 stores by 1923, 42 by 1934, and 55 by 1968.
Schrafft's on TV
Schrafft's was a sponsor for the 1959 TV show of The Wizard of Oz. This was the first time the movie was shown on TV every year. It had been shown once before in 1956.
In 1968, Schrafft's wanted to reach more customers. They asked the famous pop artist Andy Warhol to create a 60-second TV commercial for them.
Changes and Closure
Over the years, Schrafft's was bought by different companies. In 1967, PET milk joined with the Frank G. Shattuck Company. This separated the ice cream, restaurant, and candy parts of Schrafft's. Later, in 1974, Gulf and Western Industries bought the candy part of the business.
By 1981, the candy part of Schrafft's was not making money. Gulf and Western announced they would close it down. The company was then sold to the American Safety Razor Company.
In 1984, the last Schrafft's candy factory closed its doors for good. The company that owned it tried to sell the factory. However, the deal did not work out. After it closed, The Flatley Company bought the factory building.
The Schrafft Center Today
The old candy factory building was completely updated. It is now a modern office building called The Schrafft Center. You can find it at 529 Main Street in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Many different businesses have offices there today. These include companies like Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Telemundo Boston. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also has offices there.
