Albanese Candy is a candy manufacturer in Merrillville, Indiana that specializes in the production of gummies and chocolate-covered goodies. Go directly to the source and visit their easy to find stores on Rt 30, west of I-65 between Indianapolis and Gary, Indiana. Find out for yourself why Albanese Gummy Bears are called the world’s best at either their factory outlet store, 5441 E. Lincoln Highway or the Confectionary at 1910 W 81st Ave, both in Merrillville, IN 46410. Discover More about Merrillville here The stores are regularly open Monday-Saturday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm and Sundays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
While we don’t want to ruin any surprises for you, here are a few historical facts about the Albanese Candy Factory and Confectionery for you to chew on. Launched as a family owned company in 1983, they didn’t see much growth in their first 15 years. For instance, in 1995, the Merrillville facility only had 10 employees. They hit their stride in 1998, developing a new technology to allow more intense flavor release from gelatins, which grew them to be the favored gummy bears they’re known to be today. In fact, more than 300,000 pounds of gummy bears are now sold every day in 41 countries by close to 500 employees. In 2003, Albanese went patriotic, shipping soldier-shaped gummies to deployed Army soldiers in Iraq. These were a hit with soldiers and the industry, as Albanese Gummi Army Guys won Product of the Year. When the Air Force complained about being left out, the company developed military jet gummies specifically for them. In late 2004, they opened their factory and outlet store, offering self-guided tours and a 32 ft tall custom made chocolate fountain in the entrance hall. We’re told a local heating and cooling contractor custom designed this specifically for Albanese. Check this out
In 2006, Albanese revolutionized the gummy world again, developing a process that can put omega-3 fish oil in the gummies and thus entering the world of gummy supplements. This netted them the Professional Candy Buyer’s Product of the Year award. Then, in 2007, they did it again, developing the first probiotic gummi to ever be made, beginning the journey to becoming a large scale, private-label Gummi Nutra Producer. This led to more alcolades in 2014, with the Best of Supplements Award. Also in 2014, Albanese gummies graced a large scale stained glass window mural in Tokyo, Japan’s Espace Luis Vuitton museum. What a great year for gummies!
And while we’re impressed with just the gummies, Albanese makes more than 500 different candies totaling 60 million pounds each year. Is anybody else getting hungry? Great, pop on over to shop their 100 bins of candy now. You’ll find all the best candy here, as the retail shops sell products they don’t distribute online or in store, as well as hard-to-find favorites from other manufacturers, plus their “gummi goof-ups”. Oh yes, you’ll also want to take yourself on the self-guided tour, featuring windows into the production facility, to work off a little of those treats.
