Stop and Shop in Chicago (Cicero, Washington: for sale, home, buy)

[jam]

Does any one out there remember the old gourmet grocer in the Loop called Stop and Shop from years ago? They had beautiful produce stacked in papers and imported candy and, if you remember, in a locked glass case canned chocolate covered ants and chocolate covered bees imported from Asia I think. It was in walking distance from what used to be Marshall Fields.
They were a smaller, classier Treasure Island and I think they may have been Italian-owned. Oh well, if you remember the store you don't need all this info.
What I'm trying to find out is if ANYONE remembers a candy that they used to sell. It looked like a small gumdrop (pastel colors coated with sugar crystals) but it was hard and contained liquid. Not a fruit-flavored liquid but "perfumey" liquids like rose and violets. (real sugary hard outside, flower-
flavored liquid inside) It's driving me crazy because no one remembers them. I don't think they were cheap either and I'm sure they were an import. I'd appreciate the info.
Thread about Honey Bear Farm in Wisconsin brought back memories. That was always a popular day trip for Chicagoians.

[drule]

To "jam" My mom and I were just trying to remember the name of the store, we were sure it was "Stop and Shop". My older sister, who worked at Marshall Field's in the early 60's while she was in high school, used to stop there after work and bring home a treat. I can clearly picture the store myself, and being able to shop there, for anything, was always a treat for us. My mom, who is 86, was just today trying to remember some one thing she used to get there when she was downtown. I am sorry, I do not know what candy it is you refer to, but I will pass this on to my sister, who might remember. My mom and I both remember it being very close to Marshall Field's, on an east-west street. All these things have come flooding back with the loss of Marshall Field's. Good luck with your search and I'll ask my sister.

[shakaplan]

My father worked as a meat cutter for a Stop & Shop in Chicago for many years in the '50s, but I don't recall him telling me it was in the Loop. Then again, I haven't been to Chicago in so long, couldn't tell you what's in or out of it.

Our family relocated to California in the '60s. We made a visit to Chicago in the '80s to visit family, and Stop and Shop was on our list of must-see places. It was still there in 1981. It was downtown, I thought, on State Street or near Marshall Fields. But the funniest thing is that my dad always talked about eating chocolate covered ants. I guess he was allowed to try some of that stuff. Unfortunately, I can't help you with any information about the candy you're mentioning. My father passed away a few years ago, but he always had fond memories of working there.

[FORMERCHICAGOIAN]

Stop and Shop was located on the North side of Washington St. - 1/2 block west of State Street. My mother and I would often stop and look at all of the items for sale. My grandmother worked at the Boston Store and would often shop there. Sorry I do not recall the hard candies - we would buy the marshmallow stuffed apricots.

[startribegirl]

Thx for the Stop & Shop memories! I remember the apricot marshmellows, and vaguely the rose candy. Do any of you remember the reddish pink, black and white boxes that contained goodies such as salted mixed nuts? I think they had a horse and carriage on the top, but I don't know if that's correct. It was a favorite of my grandparents, and I associate the pink boxes with many happy holiday occasions. Anyone else recall this?

[Steve-o]

Wow, talk about awaking a dead post!

[rosieannie]

To Jam
A company in Italy named Majani has been making those sweets for hundreds of years. They are very expensive but a real treat. I know of rose, violet, coffee. A thin sugar shells surround a liquid. I have sold them in my shop. I have such fond memories of Stop and Shop, and my dad bringing home treats pomegranates, kumquats, Norwegian fiskaballer....

[ToriaT]

Yes I remember Stop and Shop. I used to go their for candied fruits for cakes and such around Xmas. I also remember they had wonderful marzipan. I dearly wish it was still there.

[margo krystof]

the address was 16 West Washington

[r law]

There were two great grocery stores in the Loop. One was Stop and Shop, the other was Hillmans. We grew up on the NW side (Diversey & Cicero) and my aunt worked in the loop. She would bring home treats for us kids. My mother would take us on the "L" a few times every year. St Patricks day and Christmas. I remember the smell of the warm cashews as we walked out of the cold at Christmas.