Sweet success: Aurora candy maker celebrated on 75th birthday

Posted September 26, 2025 10:53 am

Submitted by Clayton Muhammad

This week in September 1950, a future queen of candy was born. Today, that queen, beloved entrepreneur Jana Farmer, owner of Ms. Jana’s Candy, was celebrated by her community with a surprise birthday tribute on her 75th birthday.

A group of local business owners and community advocates filled Ms. Jana’s Candy with balloons, flowers, and song, catching Farmer by surprise as she worked in her kitchen making her world-famous candies. The crew broke into the Stevie Wonder version of “Happy Birthday,” moving Ms. Jana to joyful tears.

“I’m just blessed. I’m so, so blessed. What did I do to get this blessed?” said Farmer, overwhelmed by the moment.

Just three pots and a dream

Ms. Jana’s Candy is a testament to determination and late-blooming entrepreneurship. Farmer launched the business in 2017 at the age of 67, beginning with just three pots and a dream. With the help of her Marine Corps veteran son, she turned her love for candy-making into a thriving family-owned business.

Her sweets, especially the mouth watering butter toffee, brittle, and her signature “won’t stick to your teeth” caramel, quickly developed a loyal following. By 2020, Ms. Jana’s Candy opened its storefront at 1649 Montgomery Road in Aurora. This year marks the shop’s fifth anniversary in that location and the eighth year in business overall.

Each batch at Ms. Jana’s Candy is thoughtfully handcrafted in small quantities to preserve quality, consistency, and flavor. The line includes butter-based candies made using organic, kosher, gelatin-free ingredients, as well as roasted nuts and kosher coarse salt, all prepared with care.

Recognized as an official Illinois Made business, Ms. Jana’s Candy has become a must-visit destination for candy lovers across the state.

Jana Farmer, 75, is a community elder in Aurora who started her business, Ms. Jana's Candy, in 2017 at 67 years of age. She opened her storefront five years ago. The community celebrated her birthday this week, along with her 5th year anniversary. Courtesy of Clayton Muhammad

A community treasure

To the Aurora community, Farmer is more than a candy maker. She is an elder, a role model, and a beacon of perseverance. Her story inspires entrepreneurs of all ages, especially women and people of color, to pursue their dreams at any stage of life.