The historic Blommer Chocolate Co. factory in Chicago will be closing its doors at the end of May, citing the rising costs of maintaining its aging facility. This closure will result in the loss of 250 jobs, impacting the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America. The factory, which first opened in 1939 and is known for filling downtown Chicago with the scent of chocolate, has faced challenges with maintenance and production reliability in recent years.
Despite the closure of the Chicago factory, Blommer Chocolate Co. will maintain its corporate headquarters, lab, and a new research and development center in downtown Chicago at the Merchandise Mart. The new R&D center is slated to open in fall 2024 and will focus on processing and ingredient research, as well as “concept tasting” and more. Additionally, the company plans to invest $100 million in its three remaining production facilities located in Pennsylvania, California, and Ontario over the next few years. This move signifies a shift in operations for Blommer as it consolidates its production capabilities and focuses on innovation and efficiency in its chocolate manufacturing process.