Candy Men: The Story of Switzer's Licorice

by Patrick Murphy

The sweet smell of licorice and the giant candy bar painted on the factory wall at the Eads Bridge remain locked into the collective memory of generations of St. Louisans. Candy The Story of Switzer’s Licorice tells the story of how two Irish-American families began a candy company in the kitchen of a tenement in St. Louis’s Irish slum and showed the world how the American Dream can be built upon a foundation of candy. In a story that passes through three generations, two World Wars, economic depressions, and labor unrest, the Murphys and the Switzers dedicated their lives to keeping the dream alive until it was put to an end by forces beyond their control. And yet, in an unlikely turn of events, the story continues today with a fresh twist and a renewed life of its own.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2020

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting look at the Switzer candy company. It told how an immigrant from Ireland came to the U.S. and rose from poverty to become the owner of a large candy making factory in St. Louis. Two families worked to make the company thrive. World Wars and the Depression changed the products they made.
The book follows the rise and fall and eventual return of the company. It was fun to read and see the pictures of the factory, products and advertisements.

[Anne Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a native St Louisian and any book dealing with the history of St Louis attracts me. Not only did I learn the history of the Switzer family and it’s candy empire but also interesting historical tidbits about St Louis I wasn’t aware of previously. Like the Irish ghetto just north of downtown was called Kerry Patch; In 1917 the first “combination”
candy bar was introduced and called The Clark Bar; During the Great Depression of 1930’s, St Louis had the first and one of the largest Hoovervilles in the nation stretching for one mile south of the McArthur Bridge; and the father of actor Vincent Price owned a jelly bean factory in St Louis.
I enjoyed this book and encourage those who loved Switzer’s licorice as I did to pick this up and enjoy the trip.

[Mark Karnowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging tale of some little known St. Louis history!

[Joann]

Contains tidbits of STL history...not just the candy industry.
Enjoyable read.

[Mel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little read with a lot of local history.