Joseph Schmidt Confections

History

Joseph Schmidt Confections began in San Francisco in 1983, started by European-trained baker Joseph Schmidt and European-trained confectioner Audrey Ryan. The pair initially sold baked goods and chocolates, with Schmidt's signature egg-shaped truffle becoming the company's trademark. In 1985, they brought in two partners, restaurateur Jeff Smith and engineer Duane Papierniak, to expand the business. Under their leadership, the company grew nationally and internationally, with products available at department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges in London, David Jones in Australia, Takashimaya in Tokyo, and various Canadian locations.

The company operated stores in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood and in San Jose. In November 2005, Artisan Confections Company, a Hershey subsidiary that had previously purchased Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, acquired Joseph Schmidt Confections. Hershey later consolidated Scharffen Berger production in Robinson, Illinois. In early 2009, Hershey announced plans to eliminate the Joseph Schmidt brand, and by July 2009 both the production facility and retail store on 16th Street in San Francisco closed, laying off approximately 150 local employees.