Archibald Candy selling Fannie May and Fanny Farmer, closing Chicago plant

[Beaker]

Archibald Candy selling Fannie May and Fanny Farmer, closing Chicago plant

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/7639412.htm

CHICAGO - Archibald Candy Corp. announced Monday that it is selling its Fannie May and Fanny Farmer businesses to an unidentified buyer and shutting down its decades-old manufacturing plant in Chicago, putting 625 employees out of work.

The 84-year-old Chicago candy maker made the announcement after informing representatives of its five labor unions in a meeting. It said it is in "final negotiations" with a buyer for its candy businesses.

The new owner will supply the candy to keep the Fannie May and Fanny Farmer brands going, Archibald spokesman Ron Bottrell said. But no buyer could be found for the aging plant in Chicago's West Loop.

"As we began this process it was our hope that we might be able to sell the businesses intact, including the Chicago manufacturing plant," chief financial officer Rick Anglin said...

Chicago used to be, and still is, a major manufacturing center for candy, but the factories have been closing up and leaving town in droves the last few years, and taking a lot of good-paying jobs with them...a lot of it has to do with higher costs for sugar, and the way that oompa-loompas started a race to the bottom, wage-wise...those little freaks are happier than hell to work for next to nothing.

[kskiska]

1. I used to love those old free-standing candy shops

like Fanny Farmer, Loft's, and Barraccini's. Most of the candy in my Easter baskets came from those stores – huge fudge-filled eggs covered with pecans, and pink chocolate bunnies. Even their jelly beans were tastier than the cheaper kind.

[madrchsod]

2. fannie may gone

along with marshall fields candy,now that really sucks. that`s over a thousand jobs that make the best chocalot candy in the world....

[BrotherBuzz]

3. Betcha a 'Big Hunk'....

Fannie May and Fanny Farmer brands will be made in Canada where sugar can be had cheaper...

[saigon68]

4. Made in Bangladesh

Where the children work for 55 cents a day

[saigon68]

5. 12 Hour shifts

N/T

[Flightful]

7. Nope, made in Canada

Where sugar is one-third the price it is in the USA. Thank the protectionists.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Cuba EXPORTED 1,450,000 metric tonnes of Sugar in 2003 / 2004

.
.
. United States IMPORTED 1,457,000 metric tonnes in 2003 / 2004

Would be handy if the USA was dealing with Cuba now wouldn't it ?

So much for the US Admin having it's collective head up it's as* for the last 40 years !

oh - link - http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/sugar/Data/Table01.xls

[BrotherBuzz]

10. What? and rain on Jeb Bush's parade?

well, I agree with you...and I find it bizarre that the US is the only country that doesn't trade with Cuba, a fact that American flag-waving Joe six packs fail to comprehend.

[soothsayer]

6. oh no! Another childhood treasure relegated

to memory...

[Flightful]

8. Archibald was overextended

They bought up several other manufacturers, now they're unloading them to pay off the huge debts they ran up. Rumour has it that Laura Secord is being sold to Ganong.