Preserving a Sweet Family Tradition

When Warren and Jill Schimpff moved to Jeffersonville, Ind., (pop. 25,787) last year to take over the 110-year-old family business, Schimpff’s Confectionery, the retirees were like kids in a candy store.

“I can’t quite describe it, but there’s something really satisfying about making a piece of candy, then watching a customer enjoy eating it,” says Warren, whose great-grandfather, Gustav Schimpff, opened the store in 1891. “There’s that instant feedback and knowing you are doing something that is appreciated.”

When Schimpff’s closed in December of 1989, following the death of third-generation owner Catherine Schimpff, residents of the Ohio River town were saddened. The downtown sweets shop—with its tin ceiling, terrazzo flooring, vintage soda fountain, and glass-front candy display cases—was truly a Jeffersonville landmark. For generations it had been the place where townspeople gathered, not only to sample the sugary indulgences made in the backroom candy kitchen, but also to share the latest news and socialize.

The closing made the headlines, says Tom Lindley, publisher and editor of The Evening News. “People just couldn’t imagine it was no longer going to be there.”

Neither could Warren, a chemist, and Jill, a college professor, who were living in Claremont, Calif., at the time. Taking a leap of faith, they bought the store in 1990 as part of a family estate settlement.

The store reopened a few months later with trusted employee Mary Lee Wessel assuming management responsibilities. Warren and Jill kept tabs from California, all the while anticipating moving to Jeffersonville to begin “second careers” as confectioners. That happened last November.

Now the Schimpffs live in an apartment above the business and split their time between candy making and store duty, working with Mary Lee and 11 other employees. Using time-tested methods and old-fashioned machines and molds, they create treats such as peanut brittle, hand-dipped chocolates, and two regional specialties: hard candy fish and caramel-covered marshmallows. Cinnamon red hots, however, are the biggest seller.

“Nearly two tons annually,” Jill says, “using the same recipe Gustav used in 1891.”

Mail orders account for about 10 percent of the store’s sales; loyal local customers gobble up the rest of the goodies.

The Schimpffs continually hear stories from customers about the establishment’s significance to the town, including one about how before every household in Jeffersonville had a telephone, people would meet at the candy store during out-of-town high school basketball games, knowing someone traveling with the team would call with scores. Employees even posted the scores in the store window for passers-by to see.

With a smile, Jill adds, “Just the other day, a very elderly lady came in, pointed to a booth, and said, ‘That’s where I sat on my first date.’”

“It’s clearly one of the community’s jewels,” Lindley says, referring to Schimpff’s. “It’s the type of institution you just can’t replace. Jill and Warren brought something back to us that everyone feared was gone.”

In 1991, for its 100th anniversary, the store was honored by the town with a gala celebration, which included recognition from then-Indiana Lt. Gov. Frank O’Bannon.

Warren and Jill hope for an even bigger to-do to commemorate Schimpff’s 110th year in business this year. Part of the excitement will be the opening of a candy-making demonstration area and museum, filled with the couple’s large collection of candy-related memorabilia, in two buildings adjacent to the store.

“People come in and bring their children and grandchildren, and it’s just a family tradition,” Jill says. “We want to create memories for today’s generation.”

Veda Eddy is a freelance writer in Columbus, Ind.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article