Sanders - Ice Cream, Candy, Bakery

Sanders Ice Cream, Candy, Bakery

Detroit

Ghost sign on a long-closed Sanders store in Detroit.

Sanders candy has been a Detroit favorite since its founding in 1875.

Fred Sanders was a child when his family immigrated to the United States, but returned to Germany as as a young adult to learn the confectionery trade. He later settled in Illinois and started his first business in Chicago. After the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed his business - and most of the city - he moved to Detroit.

 On June 17, 1875 he opened Sanders Candy on Woodward Avenue. The business grew to be one of Detroit's largest companies, and Fred Sanders became one of the city's most prominent businessmen by the turn of the 20th century. Eventually, there were more than 57 stores and soda fountains in the Great Lakes states selling their candy, fudge toppings, and baked goods, as well as light lunches. Sanders soon became the leading confectioner in the region and started selling directly to national supermarket chains, as well as to other retailers in the area. 

In 2002 Morley Candy Makers, Inc. purchased the company. They continue to make Sanders candy, ice cream and baked goods using the Sanders recipes and operate several Sanders stores and soda fountains.


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