History of Ferarra Candy

by Lou Pagano II

In 2018, 1908 Candy reintroduced America to classic flavors and characters like Alexander the Grape, Johnny Apple Treats, Cherry Clan, and Mr. Melon. However, the candy’s origin story begins much farther back - over 110 years ago - with an almond and a little Chicago bakery.

A Breakout Bakery

In 1908, The Ferrara Company was born as a bakery, specializing in wedding cakes and cookies. Candy making was not the bakery’s main focus, but all that changed with the Jordan almond. Italian immigrant and founder of the Ferrara Bakery, Salvatore Ferrara found that the candy coated almonds - which were traditionally a wedding favor - were a hot item in his bakery. The almonds led Ferrara to branch out into candy, creating the Ferrara Candy Company in the 1920’s alongside partners Jimmy Pagano and Salvatore Buffardi.

Ferrara then married Serafina Pagano and Buffardi married Mary Pagano, who were the older sisters of Anello Pagano. The partners opened their first factory in Chicago’s old Italian neighborhood, and began creating and selling penny candy. 

A Gap In The Market

In 1935, Anello Pagano (Great-grandfather of 1908 Candy founder Lou Pagano II) became general manager of the Ferrara Candy Company’s factory. Shortly after, he ushered in a new era for the company, instituting five and 10 cent packaging with newfound machine technology. During WWII, most of the larger candy companies, such as Hershey and Mars, were sending most of their candy to the US government for military consumption. This left a large gap in the domestic market, where Ferrara thrived and grew a larger consumer base.

Character Creation

In the 1970’s, Alexander the Grape, Johnny Apple Treats, and Cherry Clan were created. Shortly following was the creation of Mr. Melon in 1986. The candies were sold as standalone flavors for a decade before merging into ‘heads’ flavors under popular Ferrara candy Lemonheads in the 1990’s.

In 2018, Lou Pagano II, great grandson of the original creator, relaunched these iconic flavors under new company 1908 Candy. The rest is candy history!