History

The Lilett' Story

Since 1949 Lilett' Candies has been making hand made gourmet chocolates and candies following the original recipes.  Original owners Jim and Lillian Manusos took great pride in serving the best chocolates, candies and ice cream in their Chicago neighborhood for years.

There were many sweets that filled the shelves of the little storefront in the City, but it was their delicious Enlgish Toffee with the delicate crunch that distinguished them from the other 'mom and pop' candy and ice cream stores in the area.

Opportunity led the way for the couple to move their candy and ice cream store to Broadview, Illinois, a thriving business and residential community in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Businesses and residents of the small suburban town, as well as many from neighboring towns, frequented the little store for their candy and ice cream needs for years.  In 1987, after the death of his lovely wife Lillian, Jim sold the business and it was moved to the neighboring town of Brookfield.

To keep up with increased demand for the delicious English Toffee and seasonal items like caramel apples the new owners made the decision to discontinue ice cream sales and focus on making gourmet candy.  A single story commercial building along the heavily trafficked Burlington Northern commuter and freight railroad line in Brookfield was purchased.  It was transformed into a first rate gourmet candy kitchen and retail store with room for expansion.  With this move Lilett' Candies was born.

The Lilett' Story Today

In  April of 2000, Karen Gula, owner of Karand Chocolate, Inc. a boutique-style wholesale chocolatier, purchased Lilett' Candies.  Using her background in the art of fine chocolate and years of experience in candy making, Karen worked for 10 years to refine and redefine Lilett' Candies into the quintessential gourmet chocolate shop.

In the fall of 2010, opportunity led the way for Karen to relocate and open her new Lilett' Candies Gourmet Chocolate Shop in La Grange, Illinois, a thriving business and residential community in the western suburbs of Chicago, and neighboring town to Brookfield.

The goal of the current owner is to continue the tradition of making 'Gourmet Candy As It Was Meant To Be' one delicious piece of English Toffee, one Fudgeball and one Caramel Apple at a time.  Sixty years later, Jim and Lillian would be proud.

We hope you enjoy our products and continue to be a Lilett' customer for years to come.  Visit us at Lilett' Candies Gourmet Chocolate Shop at 104 Calendar Avenue in downtown La Grange, online at www.lilett.com or call us at 708-352-2662 during regular business hours.