McMeens Candies was founded by my grandfather and grandmother, James T. and Margaret Blanche McMeen in Chicago Illinios 1924. The main store was located at 63rd and Stoney Island as well as 6 other locations in the Chicago area. My grandfather was taught the art of candy making by his brother in law Edgar Malone, one of the 5 Malones.
James T. Blanche 1957, Denver
After the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1934 the family opened a store in Springfield, IL in hopes that state paydays would sustain business. In 1939 Edgar Malone asked my gradfather to move to Denver due to Ed's failing health and the death of Edgar's only daughter.
Original Malones Store IL. State Fair 1914
Our family operated stores not only in Denver but also in Estes Park and Idaho Springs. Our last store in the Denver area closed in 1966. This was due in part to the advent of the modern shopping mall. Our latest store was a holiday store in Mesa, AZ in 1991.
We have exhibited at local fairs in the Midwest for 75 years. My mother and I first came to Clinton, IA in 1991 to sell taffy at the annual Riverboat Days and we fell in love with the city and it's people. We found our home in 1995 and opened our store in November of 1996.
IL. State Fair 1948
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