TRIP CLIP AUDIO - LAURA SECORD CHOCOLATES

Click to play or download POI NAME TripClip (mp3 format).

General Information

Laura Secord, a courageous woman throughout the war of 1812, inspired Frank P. O'Connors to name what used to be a small Toronto candy store after her. Making and selling hand made chocolates and other sweet treats, Laura Secords Chocolates was established in 1913.

Laura Secord Chocolates is now famous for their boxed chocolates, ice cream, and candies,  and the company has extended its services to catering weddings.

The company started by Frank O'Connors changed hands to a food division of brewmaker John Labatt Ltd. in the 1960s. In the 1980s British company Rowntree purchased Laura Secord, and after Rowntree was acquired by Nestle, Laura Secord was sold to Chicago-based candymaker Archibald Candy Corporation in the 1990s. After being divided up across American and Canadian investors, Quebec businessmen Jean and Jacques LeClerc purchased the Laura Secord business in 2010, making it 100% Canadian-owned once again. 

Laura Secord practices corporate social responsibility and positive environmental practices including responsible stewardship. An example of this is illustrated through their international cocoa farming communities, where international labor standards are enforced. Laura Secord Chocolates is also member of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association of Canada and contributes to children charities.

Enjoy a variety of sweet treats at any location across Canada, from ice cream to candies and chocolates of all kind.

Photo Gallery

Hours of Operation

Pen Centre Hours: Regular Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday: 10am to 9pm Saturday: 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm 

Holiday Hours are subject to change annually.

Hours of operation vary according to each location.

Directions

From Toronto

Gardiner expressway to Queen Elizabeth Way

Take exit 49/ 406 toward Thorold/Welland/Pt. Colborne

Merge onto Highway 406

Exit on Glendale Avenue

Turn right at Glendale Avenue

From Niagara Falls

Head north on Victoria Avenue toward Valley Way

Turn left at Bridge Street

Turn right at Stanley Avenue

Turn right onto the Queen Elizabeth Way/Queen Elizabeth Way Ramp to Toronto

Take exit 38 for Glendale Avenue/County Road-89 toward Niagara-on-the-Lake

Turn left at Glendale Avenue

Slight left to stay on Glendale Avenue

From USA

Head northwest on King's Highway 420/Rainbow Bridge towards Falls Avenue

Continue to follow King's Highway 420

Make a U-turn

Take the ramp to Hamilton/Toronto/Queen Elizabeth Way

Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way

Take exit 38 for Glendale Avenue/County Road-89 toward Niagara-on-the-Lake

Turn left at Glendale Avenue

Slight left to stay on Glendale Avenue

Destination will be on the right

Cultural

Historical

Between 1940 and 1950 more then 90 stores were opened. The company was purchased from O'Connor in the 1960's by John Labatt Limited. Ice cream was not introduced until the 1970's, and by the 1980's the company was sold again to Rowntree MacIntosh Corporation of England.

The overall quality of production improved due to the expertise the English brought to chocolate production. However, it was not too long after that Nestle bought and took control of the institution.

In the 1990's, Archibald Candy Corporation of Chicago purchased Laura Secord Chocolates to sell it to US-based private equity investments groups, Gordon Brothers Group, LLC and EG Capital Group as well as the Montreal -based Fonds de Solodarite FTQ.

Finally in 2005 Laura Secord Chocolates undertook an ambitious renovation introducing new packaging, store remodeling and extended availability.

Further Information