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| Schmidt's circa 1940 |
| The confectioner's tools |
| Making Delights |
- The year is 1925. Two years earlier, the BRT (Brooklyn Rapid Transit)
went into receivership and the BMT (Brooklyn Manhattan Transit) was
born. Riding high above the cobblestone road and trolley rails of
Jamaica Avenue, the subway tied the Queens shopping hub of Jamaica
to the "Big Apple". It was in this year that Grandpa Schmidt had the
notion to open his shop at 94-15 Jamaica Avenue, under the BMT. His
plan was to bring coveted old-world German chocolate recipes together
with the finest ingredients. And that, he did. In doing so, Schmidt's
Candy came to life.
- Through the years things changed in this "Haven In The City". The shop
was taken over by his son, then his daughter-in-law, all the while
maintaining those recipes and quality. Those who know Woodhaven will
likely regale you with stories of shops come and gone: Lewis' Of
Woodhaven; The Haven, Roosevelt, or Willard Theaters; Jason's Toys.
In light of all the change, Schmidt's remains as a, sort-of, Woodhaven
landmark. Grand-daughter Margie Schmidt continues the traditions
begun back in 1925 by Grandpa, using the same time-tested formulae
and quality ingredients. They're even brought together in the original
copper kettle (okay, it's been replated a few times) and worked on the
same marble tables!
- The BMT (well, it's called the J train now) still rumbles above 94-15
Jamaica Avenue. And walking through those doors brings you back to
those simpler, less hectic times of trolley cars, cobblestone streets,
and home made goodness.
| A dirty job (But somebody's gotta do it!) |
| Home made jelly ready for cutting |
| Only the finest ingredients |
| Margie, working her craft |
| See Margie on TV! |