Carl Goldenberg, Maker of Peanut Chews, Dies at 85

Carl Goldenberg, who operated the candy company that made Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, has died at age 85.

Goldenberg died Monday at his Philadelphia home after a 17-year battle with prostate cancer, according to his son, David. He was a third-generation operator of the family business, joining it in 1950 and spending more than 50 years there.

The beloved regional brand was sold to Bethlehem-based Just Born Inc., maker of Peeps marshmallow candy, in 2003. The chewy chocolate-and-peanut confections are still produced in Philadelphia, but they're now sold nationwide.

"He was very proud putting product out like we did every day, and we took great care with its quality," said David Goldenberg, who operated the business before it was sold. "To my father, freshness was No. 1, and getting as many peanuts in that center as he could was No. 2."

Goldenberg's Candy Company was started by a Romanian immigrant, David Goldenberg, in 1890. The company began producing Peanut Chews in 1917, and they were used by the U.S. military as a ration bar during World War I. By the 1940s, the company had dropped its other candy brands to focus solely on its most popular confection.

Carl Goldenberg got his start in the plant and worked his way up, as did his son.

"That's how you learned the business, from the ground up," David Goldenberg said.

Just Born expressed its condolences over Goldenberg's death. The company had removed the Goldenberg name from Peanut Chews after its purchase of the brand, but restored it after sales dropped.

Carl Goldenberg is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara, and another son, Samuel, among other family members.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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