A family run sweet shop founded 141 years ago will soon close for good (Image: Getty)
A cherished family-run sweet shop, established in 1885, has announced that it will be closing its doors permanently. Lammes Candies, one of Austin's longest running businesses, cited shifting market conditions and long-term sustainability concerns as the reason behind its shock closure.
Renowned for its tasty handcrafted sweets Lammes Candies has decided that after five generations the time has come to cease operations. Founded 141 years ago, the well-loved sweet shop has confirmed it will close all of its retail locations, although a final closing date for its flagship store at 5330 Airport Blvd. in Austin has yet to be set. The company closed its Round Rock location last week on April 24.
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Lammes Candies is to cease operations (Image: Google Maps)
This was not an easy decision," co-owner Lana K. Schmidt said in a statement. "Lammes Candies has been more than a business — it has been a family legacy spanning generations.
“We are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, and community for their unwavering support over the past 141 years.”
Schmidt continued: "The economy, you know, with the raw materials going up, labor is going, it's just everything is escalating. There's not a huge margin in confections, but the bottom line is we need to spend time with our grandchildren."
"I think we've built a legacy for the community. I mean we had the first neon sign. I mean there are a lot of firsts with lamps in Austin. I know people are gonna miss this sweet treat, this tradition of theirs. And so we will miss the community."
Lammes Candies is one of Austin's longest running businesses (Image: Google Maps)
Lammes Candies says employees will be supported through this difficult transition process. The company will now begin to wind down the historic business, remaining orders will be fulfilled.
The candy store is best known for its Texas Chewy Pecan Pralines, first introduced in 1892. The “Texas Chewy” remains its top-selling item, with about 2,000 pounds produced daily, according to the company’s website. Six years ago, Lammes Candies operated seven locations in the Texas Hill Country, according to its website.
Locals have been quick to express their sadness. Hannah Burwell said: "I moved here about five years ago. And I came in because I saw that it was one of the oldest places in Austin. And I was like, I want to get in on that".
Another added: "Nooooo! The best Pralines, and the Longhorns! We frequently order Lammes to send as gifts to out of state family and friends. And of course we order a box for ourselves."
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