Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Kranz Confectionery Store, Chicago, Illinois.

Kranz Confectionery Store opened its doors in 1868 on Blue Island Avenue, Chicago. John Krantz immigrated to America from Germany at the age of 15. 


Kranz moved the Confectionery to 126-30 State Street in 1881. Very little changed until the building was remodeled in the mid-1880s by architects Adler & Sullivan. Electric fixtures replaced the Gaslights. Kranz opened a second location at 78-80 State Street, Chicago. 


Although only pastries, ice cream, candies, and beverages were served, Mr. Kranz's fame continued over the years as he continually introduced the very latest creations made by highly specialized candy artists from Europe.

2 comments:

  1. My cousin, Selma Wiese, worked in this shop back in the 1930's. She said Mrs. Kranz was very strict.

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  2. Just after arriving in Chicago around 1910 my grandfather walked down State Street and inquired at confectionery stores if they might hire him. They understood German at this store, and he told them he knew how to create liquid filled bonbons. That was novel so they hired him. He worked there for two years but one day he was mugged and robbed while walking home. At that point he decided it was time to go home and he left to go back to Europe.

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