Laura Secord Chocolates
| Laura Secord logo | |
| Laura Secord | |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Chocolate and other confectionery |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Founder | Frank Patrick O'Connor |
| Headquarters | , |
| Owner | Jean Leclerc |
| Website | Laura Secord Official site |
Laura Secord s.e.c is a Canadian chocolatier, confectionery, and ice cream company. It was named after the Canadian heroine Laura Secord. In 1813, Laura Secord, pioneer wife and mother of five children, made a dangerous 19-mile (30-km) journey on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of a planned American attack. Her bravery contributed to victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams. The company is owned by Jean Leclerc of Quebec City. Jean Leclerc owns Nutriart, a company devoted to chocolate production. Nutriart is a former division of Biscuits Leclerc.
History
The company was founded in 1913 by Frank P. O'Connor with first store on Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario.[1] It was known as Laura Secord Candy Store and Fanny Farmer Candy Stores in the US. In 1969 it was sold by the O'Connor family to John Labatt Limited and remained in Canadian hands until 1983.[1]
Foreign owners 1983–2010
Laura Secord was owned by British-owned Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery of York, England, which acquired it in the 1980s. Rowntree Macintosh's successor, Nestlé's Canadian unit, sold it in 1998[2] to Archibald Candy Corporation of Chicago,[3] which then sold it to Gordon Brothers LLC of Boston in 2004.[4]
Laura Secord returns to Canada
It was acquired by Jean and Jacques Leclerc of Quebec in 2010.[5]
In 2004 there were 174 outlets with a staff of 1,600.[3] As of 2018[update], it has exactly 100 retail outlets throughout the country. It has offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Quebec City, Quebec in Canada.
References
- ^ a b McClearn, Matthew (April 7, 2011). "Laura Secord comes home". Canadian Business. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Nestle Canada to sell Laura Secord". Candy Industry. 163 (11): 9. November 1998. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ a b "Laura Secord up for sale". CBC News. April 22, 2003. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Laura Secord is sold to Gordon Brothers". Refrigerated Transported. August 26, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Laura Secord sold: report". Toronto Sun. February 18, 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2019-09-01.