Things are still sweet at 77th and Western

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By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

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As I was eating the ears off a chocolate-covered marshmallow bunny the other day, my mind drifted to candies, and chocolate in particular, of the past.

While it’s hard to find a good, old-fashioned soda/ice cream shop like we had in Cupid Candies on 63^rd Street, candy making does live on at the former Cupid Candies at 77^th and Western. Wondering what was going on over there, I contacted Liz Toussaint, chief of staff for I Hart Corporation, which owns the Western Avenue plant now.

Let’s start with what we already know. The magic began in 1936 with a small storefront by the Highland Theater, where Greek immigrant Paul Stefanos sold popcorn for a nickel and made toffee in the back room.

Then came a larger place on 63^rd Street in 1946, followed by several stores in the city and suburbs. As the popularity of their candies (made from recipes brought from Greece) grew, the Stefanos family opened the combination factory/candy store on Western in 1956.

Kathy Headley

Paul’s son, John, ran the factory location until 2019 when he realized his MS had taken such a toll, he could no longer put in 80-hour weeks.

Enter Stephanie Hart, who already had a thriving bakery business called Brown Sugar Bakery in Chatham. In 2020 she bought the Cupid factory from the Stefanos. and John and Stephanie spent the next year together as she learned the ropes.

Because Hart bought the factory, not the company, she couldn’t use Cupid Candies’ original recipes in her chocolates. But Liz tells us their product is inspired by Cupid. Ten workers were already on staff and Hart offered them jobs, which they readily accepted.

Asked about any special candy treat available, Liz tells us. “We created a version of the Turtle for those with a nut allergy called Turtzel. It is made just like a Turtle but without nuts. It has caramel, chocolate and salty pretzels and is a fan favorite.”

The I Hart candy brand made at the Western Avenue location is “Life is Sweet” and currently on sale at O’Hare International Airport. It also is available at their bakery at 328 E. 75^th St. They have a thriving online business where you can order the turtzels, chocolate-covered potato chips, mint meltaways and more at brownsugarbakerychicago.com.

This Friday, April 5 is the deadline to RSVP for the 2024 Augustinian Gala, set for Friday evening, April 19, at the Drake Hotel. For more information and to secure a reservation, visit AugustinianGala.org or call JoAnn Altenbach at (773) 614-5881.

Also this Friday, registration opens for the Saturday, April 13 Go Run Marquette Park. Whether you enjoy running or walking, are a long-time runner or a newcomer, all are invited to join the family. Pre-registration, which begins at 3 p.m. April 5, is required at CARAruns.org.

This Sunday, April 7, the Augustinian Young Adult Group hosts their first-ever bingo event. The fundraiser will be held in the gym at St. Clare of Montefalco, 5445 S. Washtenaw, from 1 to 4 p.m. Join what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon and help support the upcoming AYA events and retreats. They will be selling food and drinks as well.

Also on Sunday, April 7, the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S. Claremont, will hold its annual meeting at 12:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to get to know the activities of the Center. For more information, call (773) 710-7330.

Next Saturday, April 13, and again on Saturday, April 20, children preparing for the sacrament of First Holy Communion–along with their parents, grandparents or godparents–are invited to take part in the second annual First Communion Retreat. Entitled This is My Body, the one-day retreat takes place in the St. Rita Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western, either day from 9 a.m. to noon with popular retreat director Rev. Tom McCarthy OSA and Mary Jo Jenkins, Assistant Shrine Director. The morning will include hands-on activities and a snack as. For more information, visit stritashrinechicago.com or call (773) 925-6600.

Tickets are now available for former St. Thomas More pastor and St. Rita Grammar School alumnus Father Anthony Brankin’s 50^th anniversary party on June 15. Mass will be at 4:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More, 2825 W. 81^st St., with a celebration to follow. Tickets can be purchased through Zelle, fr50party@gmail.com. As the event gets closer, tickets will also be available after Masses at St. Thomas More.

Now back to 1979. Jerry H. was the first to identify the hardware store at 3414 W. 63^rd St., as Hoffman’s, remembering going in there with his dad and being mesmerized by all of the “stuff” on hanging pegs and in bins. “I remember wondering how anyone would ever know what everything was for,” he laughed.

I was really surprised no one came up with the name of the popular card shop at 2410 W. 63^rd St., 45 years ago. Maybe it would help if I mentioned it was a Hallmark store. Anybody remember?