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  1. The Foundation
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Candy Corn – Love it or Leave it?

Celebrating Halloween

Learn about the Founder of Brach’s Candy

Emil Julius Brach (1859-1947) founded Brach’s Confections, an American candy company 120 years ago in 1904. Brach invested his $1000 life savings in a storefront candy store. He named it “Brach’s Palace of Sweets,” and it was originally located in Chicago, Illinois at North Avenue and Towne Street. When it opened, the store offered taffy, caramels, ice cream, and other sugary delights.

Emil Julius Brach

Our expert researchers at the American Family Immigration History Center (AFIHC) discovered that Brach was born in 1859 in Schoenwald, Germany to Martin and Wilhelmina Brach. The family immigrated to Burlington, Iowa in 1866.  Check out the entry of the family’s name on the ship manifest below.

Brach’s began producing candy corn in the 1920s after Wunderle Candy Company invented the confection in the 1880s.  Brach’s now makes 30 million pounds of candy corn per year, giving it nearly 90% of the market share of this sweet treat. Today, the Ferrara Candy Company owns Brach’s along with Nerds, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy and other candies.   

Thanks to the National Confectioners Association, October 30th, the day before Halloween, is “National Candy Corn Day.” As you snack on candy corn this month, you can think of Emil Julius Brach and his sweet idea to open a candy shop.