Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Company to shutter Little Village production plant

Little Village Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Company to shutter Little Village production plant The Ferrara candy company will close its Little Village manufacturing plant next year, the Chicago-based company has announced By NBC Chicago Staff • Published November 10, 2026 • Updated 2 hours ago More than 150 employees will be laid off as Ferrara Candy Company announced it would close its Little Village production facility. In a statement provided to NBC Chicago, the company confirmed it would close its 31st Street manufacturing plant in April of 2027, citing “market conditions and our long-term innovation roadmap” as the reason behind the decision to close. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE “Ferrara is deeply grateful to Chicago’s Little Village community for years of partnership and neighborly collaboration,” the company said in a statement. According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the company delivered lay-off notices to 154 employees this week. In a statement, the company said employees would be “given the opportunity to apply for open positions” within the company, and pledged to provide severance benefits and job placement services to those affected. Ferrara moved its company headquarters to Chicago and constructed a manufacturing facility in the city, producing candies such as Nerds, Laffy Taffy, SweeTARTS and many others. The company has said it will retain its headquarters in Chicago, but did not provide other details on its manufacturing strategy moving forward. Beth Kimmerle, a candy historian and author of "Candy" The Sweet History" said though Chicago remains Candy City USA, the closure points to changing trends in confections. Local Chicago 2 hours ago Man charged after 19-year-old sexually assaulted, robbed at gunpoint in home invasion Elgin 3 hours ago Photos show ponies on the loose in northwest suburb before being returned home "We’re seeing this shift from Chicago as simply a candy manufacturer, to a center for innovation, research and product development. So, these manufacturing jobs are going to be different," Kimmerle said. "It’s not going away but it’s changing." This article tagged under: Little Village