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 Sold by the Box (36 count)
William H. Luden (1859-1949) launched his fledgling candy business in 1879 in Reading, Pa. His initial "factory" was his mother's 5 by 6 foot kitchen. His primary piece of equipment was a coal-burning stove. He began production with 30 pounds of sugar. One of his first products was a Pennsylvania Dutch treat called "moshie," made from brown sugar and molasses.
In 1892, Luden moved his operations to larger facilities at Sixth and Washington Streets in Reading. The company moved to its present location in 1910.
His candy line was extensive and included cough drops, hard and soft candies, chocolates and marshmallow products. Luden manufactured his own chocolate for his chocolate novelties and chocolate-coated candies unlike many confectioners during that time.
In 1927, William H. Luden sold his company to Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich family. 5th Avenue candy bar was introduced in 1936.
World War II forced Luden's to concentrate production efforts on Luden's menthol throat drops and 5th Avenue candy bars for military use. Immediately following the end of the war, Luden's reverted to producing a full line of confectionery products including: the famous Luden's menthol throat drops and 5th Avenue candy bar; penny chocolate candy consisting of ladyfingers, pillowcases, mint patties; penny jujube novelties, penny hard candy, penny coconut novelties, cast marshmallow novelties, and a line of penny, sugar-rolled jellies.
Timeline
1859 William H. Luden, founder, born.
1879 W. H. Luden Candy Company established.
1928 Acquired by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich family.
1936 5TH AVENUE candy bar introduced.
1980 Queen Anne Candy Company, Hammond, IN, acquired by Luden's Inc.
1986 Acquired by Hershey Foods Corporation.
2001 Luden's throat drops business sold to Pharmacia.
Kosher Status: OUD
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