Mars Wrigley closing candy bar factory near Chicago, built in 1928

[Milaca]

Mars Wrigley closing nearly century-old chocolate plant on Chicago’s West Side - Chicago Tribune

An excerpt from the article:
"The plant at 2019 N. Oak Park Ave. produces a variety of “filled bar chocolate” such as 3 Musketeers and Milky Way, the company said. The success of the Milky Way, a malted milk candy bar introduced in 1923, helped build the company and the Chicago factory, with founder Frank Mars moving operations from Minneapolis to Chicago when it opened in 1929.

Built on 16 acres in a residential area, the plant was named the “factory of the month” in a 1953 Chicago Tribune series, which called it “an outstanding bit of architecture ... in a beautiful setting of brilliant green bent grass, beds of flowers, shrubs and towering trees.” The factory included tinted walls, red tile roofs and two-story-high curved-top windows."

[Milaca]

Here is a view from Google street view:

[RadioRoy]

Most likely scenario:

Some developer will call it an eyesore, bulldoze it, and build a huge stack of condominiums. Then, after the damage is done, they will beat it out of town with the cash and leave the neighbors with a real eyesore that will turn into a ghetto years later.

Or maybe not.

[Milaca]

That's the spirit!

[Milaca]

Here is a satellite view. The factory is next to the railroad with a spur leading directly to it.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Moving to Mexico like they did when Necco Wafers was sold / closed. Took a couple of years, but the plants interior was bought, and now they are back making candy, but from...Mexico.

Mike

[6hk71400]

From what I have learned from a biography on Forest Mars is that he a fanatic about having an absolutely clean work areas at the factory. The 1928 factory was built by Frank Mars; that was the year Forest Mars graduated from the University of California Berkeley. The company created the Milky Way, Snickers, Mars Bar, Three Musketeers, but in 1940 created the famous M&M's and in 1954 M&M's with peanuts. Ironically, Forest Mars was allergic to peanuts. After he retired in 1973, he started Ethel M chocolates, named after his mother. In addition, he started Uncle Ben's rice and Pedigree pet food. He was listed as one of Forbes richest men. He died in 1999 at age 95.

More useless knowledge I have to share

Bob Miles
Melts in your mouth, not in your hand