Just Born
Encyclopedia
Just Born is a candy manufacturer based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
, in the United States. Their tagline is "A great candy isn't made...it's Just Born."
They produce Mike and Ike
, Hot Tamales
, ZOURS
, Teenee Beanee Gourmet Jelly Beans, and marshmallow
Peeps
. The Goldenberg Candy Company became part of Just Born in 2003 and their famous Peanut Chews
are now made under the Just Born label. They appear in original dark chocolate and new milk chocolate.
n immigrant Sam Born
came to the United States
. In 1916, Sam Born was awarded the "key to the city" of San Francisco for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipop
s.
In 1917, Born opened a small retail store in Brooklyn
, New York
. He proudly displayed in his store window an evolving line of daily made candy, marketing its freshness with a sign that declared Just Born. The original company logo showed a baby resting in a candy measuring scale. Some of Sam Born's contributions to the candy industry include chocolate sprinkles, known as "jimmies
," and the hard coating on ice cream bars.
In 1923, Born started his own manufacturing company in New York City. Irv and Jack Schaffer, Born's brothers in law, joined the company to help market and sell the confections. In 1932, the trio moved operations to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The company took over a 4 story building from a bankrupt printing company built in 1920 that was 224,396 sq. ft.
Sam Born's son, Bob Born who joined the company in 1946 and would later become President for more than 30 years, was part of the two man team that mechanized the marshmallow Peeps forming process. It was this ingenuity that enabled them to dramatically increase production and led them to become America's largest manufacturer of seasonal marshmallow confections.
The first Just Born retail store opened in fall 2009 at National Harbor, Maryland
.
Just Born is a noted contributor to the Bethlehem community and makes many charitable contributions.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, in the United States. Their tagline is "A great candy isn't made...it's Just Born."
They produce Mike and Ike
Mike and Ike
Mike and Ike is a brand of fruit-flavored candies. They were first introduced in 1940 by Just Born, Inc., of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a family-owned company founded in 1923.-The candy:...
, Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales are a cinnamon candy manufactured by the Just Born.They are shaped like Mike and Ike candies and were introduced in 1950.In addition to the hot and spicy flavor, there is also Hot Tamales Fire which is more intense than the original, a darker red in color, and less opaque.A spearmint...
, ZOURS
ZOURS
Mike and Ike Zours are a sour candy manufactured by Just Born. They are similar in shape to Mike and Ike candies. They were introduced to Just Born's line of candy in 1999, modeled after the Mike and Ikes which debuted in 1940. They are available in 5 oz "movie size" boxes, 4.2 oz boxes and 1.8 oz...
, Teenee Beanee Gourmet Jelly Beans, and marshmallow
Marshmallow
The marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin that has been softened in hot water, dextrose, vanilla flavourings, and sometimes colouring, whipped to a spongy consistency. Some marshmallow recipes call for egg whites...
Peeps
Peeps
Peeps are marshmallow candies, sold in the United States and Canada, that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays. Peeps are used primarily to fill Easter baskets, though recent ad campaigns tout the candy as "Peeps - Always in...
. The Goldenberg Candy Company became part of Just Born in 2003 and their famous Peanut Chews
Peanut Chews
Long familiar to residents of the Philadelphia area and neighboring Mid-Atlantic states, Peanut Chews are a family of US candy products manufactured by Just Born. They consist of peanuts and molasses covered in chocolate, and are available in original dark chocolate flavor and milk chocolate...
are now made under the Just Born label. They appear in original dark chocolate and new milk chocolate.
History
The Just Born candy tradition was conceived in 1910, when RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n immigrant Sam Born
Sam Born
Sam Born was a Russian-born American businessman, candy-maker and inventor. In 1910 he came from Russia to the United States. In 1916, Sam Born was awarded the "key to the city" of San Francisco for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipops...
came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1916, Sam Born was awarded the "key to the city" of San Francisco for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipop
Lollipop
A lollipop, pop, lolly, sucker, or sticky-pop is a type of confectionery consisting mainly of hardened, flavored sucrose with corn syrup mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking. They are available in many flavors and shapes.- Types :Lollipops are available in a number of colors and...
s.
In 1917, Born opened a small retail store in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He proudly displayed in his store window an evolving line of daily made candy, marketing its freshness with a sign that declared Just Born. The original company logo showed a baby resting in a candy measuring scale. Some of Sam Born's contributions to the candy industry include chocolate sprinkles, known as "jimmies
Sprinkles
Sprinkles are very small pieces of confectionery used as a decoration or to add texture to desserts—typically cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and some puddings...
," and the hard coating on ice cream bars.
In 1923, Born started his own manufacturing company in New York City. Irv and Jack Schaffer, Born's brothers in law, joined the company to help market and sell the confections. In 1932, the trio moved operations to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The company took over a 4 story building from a bankrupt printing company built in 1920 that was 224,396 sq. ft.
Sam Born's son, Bob Born who joined the company in 1946 and would later become President for more than 30 years, was part of the two man team that mechanized the marshmallow Peeps forming process. It was this ingenuity that enabled them to dramatically increase production and led them to become America's largest manufacturer of seasonal marshmallow confections.
Just Born today
Just Born continues to be family owned. Currently the co-CEOs are Mr. Born's grandson Ross Born and nephew David Shaffer. Samuel Torrence was the first non-family president in the history of the company.The first Just Born retail store opened in fall 2009 at National Harbor, Maryland
National Harbor, Maryland
National Harbor is a multi-use waterfront development on the shores of the Potomac River in Prince George's County, Maryland just south of Washington, D.C. near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. It is being built by the Peterson Companies. The project is expected to cost over $2 billion...
.
Just Born is a noted contributor to the Bethlehem community and makes many charitable contributions.