the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ , after 65 years and generations of dedicated chocolate makers, the beloved Mrs. Hanna Krause’s Homemade Candy shop, nestled in the charming gingerbread-like house off Route 17 South in Paramus, is set to close its doors forever.
“Generations of hard work and love went into the legacy that will remain forever,” wrote a family member on Facebook. “The decision did not come lightly and is heartbreaking for all.”
For those looking to savor a final taste of the handmade treats or stroll down memory lane, the store will remain open until June 28, as noted on its website.
A Community’s Farewell
News of the closure prompted an outpouring of sadness and nostalgia on social media. Customers shared fond memories and expressed their sorrow:
- “They have the best chocolate covered strawberries. My mom used to work there…”
- “The best chocolate I ever tasted. It’ll be missed.”
- “Many chocolate lollipop orders for me and my family spanning over 16 years.”
A Family Legacy
The story of Mrs. Hanna Krause’s Homemade Candy began in 1959 when Ingrid and Karl Krause opened the Paramus location, offering delicious chocolate treats made the old-fashioned way.
“We basically make the candy the same way as in 1929,” store owner Karen Ryan told The Record/NorthJersey.com in 2019. “Most people send it through machines and cook them. We do everything one by one.”
Ryan explained that their secret lies in using nearly century-old machines, resulting in “a higher grade chocolate, and it’s thicker.”
A Sweet History
The family’s love affair with chocolate dates back to Ryan’s grandfather, Alfred Krause, who began as an apprentice candy maker in Germany in the early 1900s. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Alfred met his wife, Hanna, and the couple opened a gas station on Long Island. To attract customers, they offered a free lollipop handmade by Hanna Krause with every purchase of at least five gallons of gasoline.
The treats were a hit, leading the Krauses to leave the gas station business during World War II rationing. They opened a coffee shop where Hanna’s cakes, ice cream, and homemade candies quickly became local favorites.
As the doors of Mrs. Hanna Krause’s Homemade Candy prepare to close for the last time, the memories and sweet legacy of this iconic Paramus shop will live on in the hearts of its loyal customers.
Very Sad.