Mars Candy Factory

Ever crave a Snickers bar so intensely you could practically smell the peanuts and nougat? Well, right here at the Mars Candy Factory, that aroma was once a daily reality. The Mars Candy Factory, a Chicago landmark since 2024, stands before us as a testament to a sweeter era. Opened in 1929 on North Oak Park Avenue, this factory wasn’t just a place of production. It was a cornerstone of Chicago’s identity as the “Candy Capital of the World.” The Mars Candy Factory, the company’s first outside its Minneapolis home, became a model for confectionery plants nationwide. Its Spanish Revival style, with red clay tile roofs and ornate details, disguised the industrial innovation within. Here, iconic treats like Snickers, Milky Way, Three Musketeers, and M&M’s were born, solidifying the factory’s place in candy history. Frank C. Mars, the company’s founder, envisioned the most beautiful candy factory in America. His son, Forrest Mars Sr., joined him in the early 1930s, contributing to the creation of even more beloved candies. Chicago’s central location within the nation’s railroad network made it the perfect spot for Mars. Raw materials arrived easily. Finished products shipped quickly. This strategic placement contributed to the city’s booming candy industry. Imagine train cars filled with milk from Wisconsin, corn syrup from Illinois and Iowa, and sugar beets from Michigan, all converging on this very spot. The Midwest’s temperate weather also helped, allowing for year-round production and the safe shipment of delicate sweets. The Mars Candy Factory thrived during Chicago’s candy heyday. By 1963, Chicago’s candy production doubled that of New York City. The Mars factory, with its ten production lines and 2,500 employees, played a significant role in this sweet success. Sadly, the factory closed in 2024, but its legacy remains. It stands as a reminder of Chicago’s rich candy history and the innovative spirit of the Mars family.