Psst, chocolate lovers. I’ve got a delicious story for you! Milton S. Hershey opened his first candy store right here in Philly 🍫
In June 1876, 18-year-old Hershey mastered his craft and opened the store at 935 Spring Garden Street. His shop sold candies, nuts, fruits, ice cream, and baked goods.
At first, the store was doing well, but Hershey ran into trouble with production, ingredient suppliers, and business finances.
The store closed after only six years, but Hershey was determined, and continued his candy-making ventures in Denver, New Orleans and New York. Ultimately, he returned to Pennsylvania in 1886 and established the Lancaster Caramel Company.
His “big break” came in 1893, when he stumbled upon chocolate-making machinery at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Inspired by the possibilities, Hershey sold his caramel business and focused on milk chocolate bars using an original formula.
In 1900, Hershey introduced his iconic milk chocolate bars, and a few years later, Hershey's Kisses. Business thrived, eventually transforming Hershey, Pennsylvania, into a chocolate haven, earning it the moniker "the sweetest place on earth."
