Fanny Farmer

Not to be confused with Fannie Farmer.

Fanny Farmer was an American candy manufacturer and retailer.[1]

Fanny Farmer was started in Rochester, New York by Frank O'Connor in 1919 and grew to over 400 stores before being bought and consolidated.[1][2] The company was named in honor of culinary expert Fannie Farmer, who had died four years earlier; she had nothing to do with the candy stores, and her recipes were not being used. "The spelling of the first name was altered to avoid confusion."[2] However, as a marketing device, it suggested reflected glory: high standards of quality.[3]

Fanny Farmer stores shared a look that was similar to that of Fanny May.[4][5]

In 1992 the Archibald Candy Company acquired the brand[3] and its 200 retail stores in the northeastern United States) as a sister brand to its own Fannie May candies (sold primarily in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic United States).[6] Alpine Confections purchased both brands in 2004 after Archibald filed for bankruptcy, and merged Fanny Farmer into Fannie May. An errant path of merger and acquisitions, whereby the company became the largest chain of candy retailers in the country but without adequate financing and a viable corporate strategy, was blamed for the bankruptcy.[7]

In its current iteration at 1-800-Flowers, the successor corporation sells Fanny May and Fanny Farmer products.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith, Andrew F., Editor; Marton, Renee (May 1, 2007). The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. Oxford Companions (Hardcover) (1st ed.) (Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press). p. 213. ISBN 0195307968. ISBN 978-0195307962. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Morrell, Alan (April 19, 2014). "Whatever Happened To ... Fanny Farmer Candy?". Democrat & Chronicle (Rochester,New York: Gannett). Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Poirier, Leon; Poirier, Rose. "Fanny Farmer: The Sweet Collectibles". Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ Goddard, Leslie (August 27, 2012). Chicago's Sweet Candy History. Images of America (Paperback) (Charleston, S.C: Arcadia Publishing). p. 115. ISBN 0738593826. ISBN 978-0738593821. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  5. ↑ Compare, Matson, Marci (October 21, 2011). "Photo Friday: Fanny Farmer, 50th and France" (photo). Edina County Historical Society. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Fanny Farmer Parent Will Sell the Candy-Store Chain". The New York Times. August 5, 1992. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  7. ↑ Schmeltzer, John (February 26, 2004). "Series of mistakes doomed candymaker: Some blame owner, strategy, but other causes listed too". Chicago Tribune (Articles.chicagotribune.com/). Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  8. ↑ "History of Chocolate". Fannie May. Retrieved August 4, 2014.

Further reading

External links