THE CANDY MEN

by Kevin Walsh

A very large painted ad on a corner factory at Henry and Middagh Streets proclaims Peaks Mason Mints, and is the former home of the Mason, Au and Magenheimer Candy Company. According to advertisement researcher Walter Grutchfield, the company was in business here between 1892 and 1949 and was founded by confectioners Joseph Mason and Ernest von Au in 1864.

In actuality the sign is a bit misleading since there was no such candy as “Peaks Mason Mints”; there were Mason Peaks and Mason Mints. Mason Peaks was a coconut-chocolate combination (like Mounds) while Mason Mints was a chocolate-covered mint patty (like today’s Peppermint Pattie). Mason also made Dots, a fruit or cinnamon-flavored gumdrop, and Crows, a licorice-flavored gumdrop. Both are still distributed by Tootsie Roll, which acquired Mason in 1972.

20 comments

Edward September 28, 2011 - 2:12 pm

The way the sign is it looks like there could be more on the other side making it make sense- two signs running together wrapping around the corner of the building.

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KevinJWalsh September 28, 2011 - 9:17 pm

Yes there is a similar ad facing the cross street

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Old Skool September 28, 2011 - 6:08 pm

I like the Brooklyn Daily Eagle sign on the building in the foreground. What do you think Mr Webmaster/Typesetter?

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KevinJWalsh September 28, 2011 - 9:16 pm

Of course it’s the new Eagle that has been printed for just a few years.

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donald franck October 28, 2013 - 1:05 pm

My Grandfather, Charles Haug, ran the Mason Mint company from the early 1900’s to when it was sold in the 1950’s. Our family acquired the controlling interest in the shares from the original owners who started the company. I miss the Mason Mints and Black crows but still buy the candy DOTS from Tootsie Roll who eventually acquired the company.

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amey November 11, 2013 - 8:03 pm

I am doing the family tree for Herbert E Haug’s grandson! Herbert is Charles’ brother!
Pls email me so we can correspond!

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AL April 29, 2015 - 7:13 am

I knew Herbert in the 1960’s he had horses at a farm I ran, he was a great guy loved horses and also liked polo.

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Richard November 11, 2013 - 9:33 pm

Amazing. Looks like I just found a cousin. My grandfather was Herbert Haug, Charles Haug’s brother!
Herbert was president in the late 50s until sold to Bayuk Cigar and then to Tootsie Roll.
Donald, please contact me at tpoto@optonline.net.

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Lin May 6, 2014 - 6:53 pm

I am actually using Mason Mints in a poem. Grew up with them. A favorite. (Didn’t know of the Black Crow connection.)

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francoamerican May 6, 2014 - 5:39 pm

I am sixty-eight years old. As a child I distinctly remember the pleasing and minty taste of the Mason Mints candy bar. They were delicious and great to eat. They were more substantial then the present day York Peppermint Patties.

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Barbara Baldwin May 20, 2014 - 7:28 am

I am 76 yr old and grew up eating MasonMints !! Lved/Love them. Where can I go (store/candy shop to Purchase Mason Mint??

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Barbara Vetter September 21, 2017 - 2:46 pm

I’m not sure when my mother-in-law began working for Mason, but she was their top “salesman” for years, selling to jobbers in Brooklyn & Queens. When my son was a baby and toddler (1959, 60), we used to join her on her route. Have always loved Mason Mints, Dots and especially Black Crows. The Dots are still sold in many places, but the Crows are harder to find. When I find them I usually buy a couple of boxes. Fond memories.

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manocandy January 25, 2018 - 11:23 am

Does anyone remember the factory in Mineola? I remember the large candy boxes of Dots, Crows, etc. in front of the building. If I remember correctly the building was across from what is now Roosevelt Field Mall. If anyone has a picture of that building please post it.

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Ron May 11, 2018 - 7:13 pm

Yes I do remember the factory…My day worked for Mason and repaired the equipment. When I was about 7 he took me and my brothers to the factory!!! I still don’t eat too much candy!

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Vicki March 9, 2018 - 10:49 am

Yes! I remember the Mineola factory, across from Roosevelt Field. Friends and I did some dumpster diving there when I was a kid!Yummm!!

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Bill Reilly April 27, 2020 - 6:59 pm

As a kid I lived off of Westbury Rd. in Mineola. We used to go dumpster diving there also, on our way over to Roosevelt Field to play tag in the Macy’s department store. Seems just like yesterday……. 🙂

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Ron May 11, 2018 - 7:14 pm

My dad not day

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Stan O'Connor June 16, 2019 - 9:48 am

The sign below the roof line was just repainted a couple of weeks ago.

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Peter Haug July 29, 2019 - 9:53 pm

This is fascinating. I haven’t thought about this company in decades. My father, Waldemar, the youngest brother of Charles and Herbert was involved with the company in many capacities throughout his life. I grew up surrounded by Dots, Black Crows, Mints, and Peaks. If anyone on this thread would like to contact me, my email is desertpete9@aol.com.

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Mark Young February 28, 2024 - 10:13 am

Hello, everyone. I just came across this article. My grandfather and grandmother were employees at the Brooklyn store in the 1930s. They met there and and subsequently were married. I am looking to learn more about this company and potentially see if I can find any records of my grandparents’ employment. Does anyone know of any available research resources or good contacts for information of this nature?

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