One of the nice things about living in Vermilion is that we have our own hometown candy store –
Brummer's Candies, right downtown. The business dates back to 1904, and so do the chocolate recipes they use. Best of all, the chocolates are made right in the store.
I was in there twice already buying Easter candy, and I felt like, well, a kid in a candy store. Unfortunately, I didn't wait until Easter to sample some of it, and now I have to go back again to replenish my stash. It's really good chocolate.
The store has an incredible display of sweets – just about anything you can imagine. A large display case along the wall contains specialty chocolates you can buy in whatever quantity you wish, while the individual and prepackaged candies are on display in the center of the store. I especially like the vintage molds that they used to make the chocolates in fun shapes – everything from classic Easter designs to unique ones like fish, guns, pigs, canoes, etc.
The store is a gift shop as well, so plan on spending some time poking around.
Easter is only a few weeks away, so be sure to stop in for your holiday needs, and support a great local business.
Here are a few vintage Brummer's ads and photos from the
Morning Journal, dating back to the 1990s.
12 comments:
Okay, I'll address the elephant in the room. Dan - Is it better than Faroh's?
I would say "no", myself.
Thanks, Dan! I'm in V-lion on a regular basis (shameless plug incoming) restocking my books at the Burning River Boutique and will definitely stop in at Brummer's to sample their wares.
That chocolate looks delicious. I'll have to stop in there and try some out.
Love Brummers! Several years ago, I acquired their original display cases, for my museum. They are actually original to an earlier location in New Jersey, then moved to their Vermilion store. Beautiful carved wood and beveled and rounded glass
Being born in Lorain, I'll always have fond, nostalgic feelings for Faroh's Candies. It was always a thrill to see the displays in the store on Henderson Drive, and knowing it was made there in the back (you could see the machinery). I loved the distinctive packaging as well, especially with the candy-cane Faroh's logo. But those days are gone. So I'm very happy that Brummer's is located in my new hometown, Vermilion, and I think the chocolate is excellent. I'm partial to white chocolate and theirs is great. If you live in or near Elyria, Suzin L. Chocolatier is great as well, with a huge showroom. But living in Vermilion, I'm partial to Brummer's.
White chocolate? My younger brother preferred it, too, so that his mean, older siblings wouldn't take it away from him. Also, Strawberry Quik and red licorice instead of the good stuff that tasted right.
I've had Brummer's chocolate covered strawberries and they were delicious. I lived on the east side of Lorain when I was young and my grandmother would always get me a big chocolate Easter egg for Easter with my name written on it. I remember going in the store and looking at it all the goodies. Good memories and Good times. I believe Spectrum school is involved with Farohs now.
Wow, how do I not know about this? When I spent time in Vermilion, my grandfather took me to the Candy Shoppe in the plaza on Lake Rd. They had Jelly Bellies,, chocolates, and I think it was also a Hallmark store.
BTW, does Faroh's still exist?
Well, as someone commented, there is still candy sold under the Faroh's name, although it is under different circumstances than what was made in Lorain on Henderson Drive. Here is the link to the website.
https://farohscandy.com
It is made under some sort of agreement with the Spectrum organization in downtown Lorain. I tried some a few years ago and I don't believe that they use the same recipes that the Lorain branch of the Faroh family did. I could be wrong. So yes you can buy Faron's candy but it isn't even packaged with the classic logo, etc. so to me the whole nostalgic aspect is gone.
Dan,I don't know if you have heard but Robert Brummer passed away one day before you posted about the Brummers Chocolate Store.His obituary can be found online.His wife Sandy (seen in a few of the photos) is still alive and kicking.
I'm sorry to hear that, and thanks for letting me know. My sympathy goes out to Sandy and the rest of the family. I'm sure that the Brummers were/are very proud that their store remains popular to this day, and is a mainstay in Downtown Vermilion.
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