23,350 days ago my dad started JoMart.  For those of you who cannot do the math, he started JoMart 64 years ago TODAY.  He and his cousin Joe both had worked at various times for my grandfather Julius.  He owned and operated the Newport Candy Company-located in Brooklyn.  When my dad returned home from World War II he was anxious to get on with his life.  As a returning veteran he qualified to buy sugar-I still have a copy of his sugar allotment stamps.  Sugar was not the easily obtained commodity it is today.  Unlike future wars, back in the day, everyone in the country had to sacrifice.  There were many commodities we take for granted that were not readily available, or if they were available they were severely rationed.

JoMart’s 1st location was on Franklin Avenue, near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.  At the time there was an abundance of candy shops within blocks of each other.  Bartons, Schraffts, Barricini, Lofts, Flora Mia & Ann Morris.  Joe and Martin (hence JoMart) felt that if they strived to make a high quality product, the competition would not matter.  They firmly believed that since the war was over, people finally had a reason to celebrate all the good things in life.  Now that’s a mission statement that is easy to understand.

During the first 64 years of our history, we have constantly adapted to change.  Changing technology, more access to wonderful ingredients, the transition from our beloved metal molds to high quality plastic molds, and the loss of family members.  We have endured recessions, rising rents, skyrocketing ingredient costs, and regulations from local, state and federal agencies.  There have been lean times and prosperous times.  But there have been constants as well.  I am still using my grandfather’s copper kettles, my dad’s stove, as well as his Hobart 20qt mixer (both purchased new in 1946).

Most of the recipes we use today are either my dad’s or my grandfather’s.  When possible, recipes have been improved upon (we can afford exotic ingredients-macadamia nuts, shellled pistachios, pecans, even Himalayan Pink Sea Salt).

I look forward to a sweet future for us and all members of the JoMart Family-that means YOU!

Peace + Chocolate

Michael