Mere days after it was announced that Kehr’s Candies will leave the Milwaukee Public Market at the end of the month—following 18 years in business!—a new candy shop has been announced for the Third Ward hotspot. West Allis-based Freese’s Candy Shoppe will soon move into the “roughly 500 square feet of retail space currently leased by Kehr’s Candies through the end of February.”
“This is a significant addition to the Market, and we’re thrilled to welcome a long-traditioned candy business to the Historic Third Ward,” says Paul Schwartz, executive director of the Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement District #2, in a press release. “In many ways, the Freese’s story parallels Kehr’s Candies’. They’ve been part of Milwaukee history for decades and their handmade candy have generated an incredibly loyal customer base.”
Read all about that history in the full press release below. Freese’s plans to open its Market location “sometime in March.”
Freese’s Candy Shoppe coming to Milwaukee Public Market
Iconic West Allis candy business joins Historic Third Ward destination
Milwaukee, WISC – The Milwaukee Public Market announced today Freese’s Candy Shoppe will join its list of locally-owned vendors. Known for their famous fairy food toffee and turtles, Freeze’s offerings will include handmade chocolates, roasted nuts and other signature products that have made them a favorite among local candy businesses in the Milwaukee area. The addition of Freese’s marks the second location for the family-owned business, which currently operates a flagship operation in downtown West Allis. Freese’s will occupy roughly 500 square feet of retail space currently leased by Kehr’s Candies through the end of February.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for our family and the Freese’s business,” said Wendy Matel. “We take great pride in our handmade products, and our roots in the candy making industry go back nearly a century. We’re thrilled to have our offerings included alongside the impressive lineup of vendors at the bustling Milwaukee Public Market.”
Freese’s, which was started in 1928 by Otto Freese, was purchased by Wendy and Mike Matel in 1995. Wendy started working at Freese’s when she was 16 years old and the couple, along with their three children Sam, Kailey and Madisyn, have carried on the family candy-making tradition, where many of the original recipes from the 1920s are still used today.
The Matels added Heavenly Roasted Nuts to their business over 20 years ago and have their products for sale at AmFam Field, Wisconsin State Fair, Lambeau Field, and other area attractions.
“This is a significant addition to the Market, and we’re thrilled to welcome a long-traditioned candy business to the Historic Third Ward,” said Paul Schwartz, executive director of the Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement District #2. “In many ways, the Freese’s story parallels Kehr’s Candies’. They’ve been part of Milwaukee history for decades and their handmade candy have generated an incredibly loyal customer base.”
Freese’s is targeting an opening date sometime in March, in the leadup to the Easter holiday which aligns with their popular seasonal offerings for the holiday.
Additional information, including a grand opening date, will be announced in the near future. For more details about the Milwaukee Public Market, please visit MilwaukeePublicMarket.org or call 414-336-1111.
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.