At the Mr. Local History Project, our motto is “Jersey history with a social twist,” and few things bring people together faster than talking about their favorite candy. And with Halloween just around the corner, wouldn’t it be great if we all supported our Jersey History? Let’s dig in.
Think about summer nights down the Jersey Shore, walking the boardwalk with a box of saltwater taffy or stopping for a slab of fresh fudge. Then there’s Halloween, when every kid raced home, dumped that trick-or-treat bag onto the kitchen table and immediately started sorting the good stuff. M&M’s, Smarties, Blow Pops, candy apples, and plenty of other favorites have been part of those memories for generations.
But here’s the fun part. A surprising amount of America’s candy history has a New Jersey connection. Some famous treats were invented here. Others were first manufactured here. Candy companies grew up in towns like Newark, Bloomfield, Atlantic City, Freehold, Union, and Hackettstown, making New Jersey an important part of America’s sweet tooth.
So we decided to unwrap the story. From Jersey Shore taffy and fudge to the candies that filled our Halloween bags, let’s take a trip through New Jersey’s surprisingly sweet History. And yes, you’re probably going to recognize a few favorites.
New Jersey Candies Hall of Fame
Tell us in the comments which New Jersey candy is your favorite…..
| Photo | Candy Name | Town | Introduced | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy | Atlantic City | 1880s | Joseph Fralinger helped popularize boxed salt water taffy as the classic Atlantic City souvenir. Salt water taffy originated in Atlantic City in the 1880s. |
 | James’ Salt Water Taffy | Atlantic City | 1880s | Enoch James brought his improved taffy to Atlantic City, making it less sticky, cutting it into bite-sized pieces, and helping mechanize production. |
 | Tootsie Roll | Hoboken | 1896 | Leo Hirschfield invented it in New York City. Tootsie Roll moved production to Hoboken in 1938, where the Sweets Company of America factory at 1515 Willow Avenue manufactured millions until the mid 1960s. During World War II, Tootsie Rolls were also supplied as part of American military rations. |
 | Red Candy Apple | Newark | 1908 | Newark candy maker William W. Kolb is credited with creating the red cinnamon candy apple while experimenting with a Christmas candy mixture. |
 | Charms | Bloomfield | 1912 | Walter W. Reid Jr. founded Tropical Charms in Bloomfield. The individually wrapped square hard candies became the famous Charms brand. |
 | Turkish Taffy | Rahway* | 1912 | Herman Herer created the confection later known as Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy. Some sources place Herer in Rahway, although Bonomo’s own History says the invention occurred in New York while he was making candy for Newark-based M. Schwarz & Sons, so this location needs additional verification. |
| 25 Carats Chocolate Bar | Bloomfield | 1937 | A Charms chocolate-and-pecan candy bar produced during the company’s Bloomfield era. | |
 | M&M’s | Newark | 1941 | Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie launched M&M’s, with the two M’s representing Mars and Murrie. Production began at 285 Badger Avenue in Newark. |
 | Smarties | Bloomfield | 1949 | Edward “Eddie” Dee founded Ce De Candy and opened his first Smarties factory in Bloomfield. The company moved to Elizabeth in 1959 and Union in 1967, where Smarties are still made today. |
 | Peanut M&M’s | Newark | 1954 | Mars introduced Peanut M&M’s while the company was still manufacturing M&M’s in Newark. M&M’s production moved to Hackettstown in 1958. |
 | Blow Pop | Freehold | 1970s | Charms moved its manufacturing plant from Bloomfield to Freehold in 1973. Blow Pop became one of the company’s signature candies. |
 | Sour Jacks | Somerset* | 1990 | Michael Rosenberg’s Promotion In Motion created it. Somerset represents the later NJ manufacturing connection rather than necessarily the place of invention. |
 | Sun Maid Chocolate Raisins | Somerset* | 1994 | Promotion In Motion partnered with Sun Maid. Somerset represents the later manufacturing connection. |
 | Welch’s Fruit Snacks | Somerset* | 2001 | Promotion In Motion developed it under license from Welch’s. Somerset later became a major manufacturing location. |
New Jersey Confectionery People in the REAL Candy Hall of Fame
New Jersey has a particularly strong connection. Arthur Sarnow, who began selling candy as a teenager in Cranbury, New Jersey, helped establish the Candy Hall of Fame in 1971. Robert J. Pearsall Sr., another founder, was a lifelong New Jersey resident who worked for Charms Candy Company.
New Jersey-connected inductees include Edward “Eddie” Dee, founder of Smarties Candy Company; Michael Rosenberg, founder of Promotion In Motion, now PIM Brands; Eric Ostrow, a longtime Smarties executive and Newark native; Robert J. Bandel, a Jersey City native and longtime Mars executive; and Thomas K. Zucca, a Vineland native and longtime confectionery distributor.
The Real Candy Hall of Fame
The National Confectionery Sales Association, established in 1899, founded the Candy Hall of Fame in 1971. It honors the people who helped build the American confectionery industry, including inventors, manufacturers, executives, and sales leaders. The NCSA, based in Cleveland, Ohio, administers the Hall of Fame, and the annual induction ceremony is held in different locations rather than at a permanent public museum. But there is no physical Hall of Fame to visit. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IMMEDIATELY!
