Few things in life last beyond the century mark and that's what makes the 117th anniversary of Schimpff''s Confectionery in Jeffersonville so special. The small mom and pop candy store has gained national recognition on the History Channel and the Food Network. It has also been highlighted in Southern Living, Midwest Living, and Paula Deen’s Christmas Issue as well as in numerous newspapers around the country. That's quite an accomplishment for anyone. The celebration will take place Friday, May 11, one day before the big Thunder Over Louisville festivities.
The store, on Spring Street in historic downtown Jeffersonville, is celebrating 117 years of memories at the candy counter, in the deli lunchroom, and at the old soda fountain. Having survived other tax increases as well as wars, floods, recessions, depressions, fire, and family illnesses, the store has not only persevered, but expanded into an attraction that now includes a candy demonstration kitchen and candy museum. Schimpff’s is one of the oldest family-owned candy businesses in the United States that is still operating at its original location.
On April 11, 1891, Gus Schimpff Sr., along with his son, Gus Jr. opened the doors to G. A. Schimpff’s Confectionery at 347 Spring Street in Jeffersonville. Jeffersonville’s Evening News marked the occasion by saying simply, “Gus Schimpff of Louisville this morning opened his new candy factory.”
The Schimpff Family had immigrated from Germany in the late 1840s and settled in Louisville. They operated a confectionery on Preston Street before crossing the Ohio River to become Hoosier merchants.
Warren Schimpff, great grandson of Gus Sr., and Warren’s wife, Jill, have operated the business since 1990. They would like to thank employees, customers, and family members for helping to complete another year. For more than a century, Schimpff’s has enjoyed providing Kentuckiana candy lovers a tradition of quality. The Red Hots that Gus originally sold in 1891 for 6 1/2 cents per pound have become household words for many. In 2007, Schimpff’s sold 14,000 pounds of their Red Hots!
Indiana sales tax may have gone up, but that doesn’t mean that everything is going up. To celebrate its 117th birthday on Friday, April 11th, Schimpff’s will offer a 1/4 pound of their famous Red Hots at the 1891 price of 2 cents, with a $2.50 minimum purchase.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment