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Our Company History
Gilbert Chocolates traces its beginnings to John 0. Gilbert (or J.O. as he was called). J.O., with his wife Mary, came to Jackson from Findlay, Ohio in 1900. He began the confectionary business as a hobby, making candy for family and friends during holidays and special occasions. With a little urging, he opened a store on West Main Street, featuring bakery items along with an ice cream and lunch parlor.
J.O.’s reputation for chocolate grew and he began mass-producing candy at a facility on the corner of Pearl and South Mechanic Streets. As his success grew, a larger two-story factory was built in 1913.
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More than a Century of Chocolate Perfection
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Gilbert Chocolates was marketed as 'The Chocolate of Connoisseurs', and worked with the Hershey Chocolate Co. to develop a special blend of dark Chocolate for Gilbert's.
In 1917, J.O. opened a larger store and continued operations until 1957. In 1960 the candy company was sold to the Knapp family, then in 1964, two former employees bought the chocolate business and moved it to its current location on Ackerson Lake Drive in Jackson.
They marketed candy bars and hand dipped chocolates to local businesses. During the next 35 years the business maintained its reputation as one of the finest gourmet chocolates in Southern Michigan.
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About 1990, a retail store was once again opened to sell the chocolates locally. In 1991, the store was relocated to the Jackson Crossing Mall, where it remains to this day.
In 2003, a Father and Son team bought the business and continue the tradition of making fine chocolates. There are over 100 items in the Gilbert line and include both regular and sugar-free products.
Thank you for visitng us online. We invite you to visit our store in Jackson Crossing Mall whenever you are in Jackson. We hope you'll enjoy our chocolates and agree it is "The Chocolate of Connoisseurs."
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