Pearson's Candy Closed Saint Paul Factory
The candy manufacturer ended production at its historic facility, resulting in the loss of 80 local jobs.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Pearson's Candy has officially ceased operations at its factory located on West 7th Street in Saint Paul. The closure follows a July 2026 announcement by the company's parent firm, Promise Confections.
Why it matters
The shutdown marks the end of a long-standing local production presence, leaving the future of the brand and its iconic treats uncertain. Promise Holdings has not yet clarified if manufacturing will move to a different site or be discontinued entirely.
The closure of the West 7th Street facility resulted in the elimination of 80 jobs. Parent company Promise Holdings has not confirmed whether it will continue production of the candy at an alternative site.
The players
Pearson's Candy
This long-standing confectionery company is a fixture in the Minnesota candy market.
Promise Confections
This firm serves as the parent company responsible for the recent operational changes.
Promise Holdings
This corporate entity owns Promise Confections and oversees strategic decisions for its subsidiaries.
The details
Despite a bid from a group of local investors looking to purchase the company, the factory gates remained closed following the end of operations in late September 2026. The move finalized a transition initiated earlier this year when parent company Promise Confections first signaled the facility's shutdown.
Timeline
July 2026: Promise Confections announced the planned closure of the factory.
September 2026: Production officially ended at the Saint Paul facility.
Market Landscape
The closure of the Saint Paul factory follows a pattern set by the regional food manufacturing consolidation trend, which has seen several historic Midwestern plants shuttered in recent years. This move positions the company to potentially divest from the brand as it evaluates the future of its production footprint.
Local shoppers may see reduced availability of specific candy products as the future of the brand remains in flux. While an investment group attempted to save the facility, residents and customers have yet to receive confirmation regarding the continued production of these goods.
The takeaway
The end of production at the Saint Paul plant highlights the vulnerability of regional manufacturing brands to corporate restructuring. Consumers interested in supporting local businesses should monitor for updates from the investor group regarding any potential acquisition of the brand.
Further reading
For more on industrial trends in the region, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Tribune.
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