Macy's returns Frango Mints production to Chicago

Frango Mints are coming back to their Chicago roots, Macy's said Wednesday.

"After 75 years, Frangos has become a phenomena," said Jennifer McNamara, spokeswoman for Macy's. "It's a time-honored recipe."

Chicago-based Cupid Candies agreed to produce the chocolate mints for national circulation early next year.

Currently, Dunmore, Penn.-based Gertrude Hawk Chocolates makes the mints and seven other Frango flavors. Gertrude Hawk will continue to support Macy's production needs for Frango mints and the full Frango product line, according to Macy's.

Retail Confectioners International Executive Director Van Billington called the move largely symbolic.

"I think it is sort of a political thing," Billington said. "I think Mayor (Richard) Daley was upset when they left."

The production of Frango Mints left the 13th floor of the Marshall Field's State Street store in 1999. Field's former owner Target Corp., then Dayton Hudson Corp., was in charge at the time.

Federated Department Stores bought May Department Stores Co., which included Marshall Field's, in 2005. Federated then converted Marshall Field's to Macy's.

Though now manufactured in Pennsylvania, Frango Mints are available at Macy's 11 area stores.

In the early 20th century, the Chicago-area was a center for the candy industry. Currently, Chicago-based Tootsie Roll Industries Inc. and McLean, VA.-based Mars Inc. still have operations in the area.

Macy's says the candy can attract customers to the stores.

"Frango Mints are a leading differentiator and an integral driver of our confections business, and we are pleased with the continued growth of this brand," said Terry Lundgren, Macy's chief executive officer, in a statement.

Cupid Candies is a family owned business started by Paul Stefanos in 1936, making a variety of candies and ice creams.

The Frango brand was created by the Frederick and Nelson Co. as an ice cream-like confection and later turned into chocolate candies. Marshall Field's bought the name and recipe and introduced the Frango mints to its customers in 1929.

Macy's announced in fall 2005 it was searching for a Chicago-area supplier of Frango Mints. Earlier this year, Macy's released "The Frango Cookbook."