Austin’s 140-Year-Old Lammes Candies Closes

Lammes Candies is shutting down after 141 years in Austin, closing one of the city’s oldest family-run businesses. (kvue.com) The company’s Round Rock store closed on April 24, and its flagship at 5330 Airport Blvd. will remain open only “a bit longer,” according to notices reported by local outlets. (kxan.com) (kvue.com) Lammes told customers that “changing market conditions and the long-term sustainability of our operations” drove the decision to wind down. (kxan.com) (communityimpact.com) The closure lands as Austin keeps losing legacy local brands to higher costs and tougher retail economics. Lammes had already closed its Hillside and Lakeline Mall stores earlier, citing “unprecedented economic pressures and current market conditions” on its website. (lammes.com) Lammes was founded in 1885 after David Turner Lamme repurchased the family candy business for $800 and moved it to Congress Avenue, according to KVUE’s report. (kvue.com) The company became known for Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines, introduced in 1892 with pecans from trees along the Colorado River, and for Longhorns, its caramel-pecan-and-chocolate candy. (kvue.com) (lammes.com) Its current Airport Boulevard flagship opened in December 1956, after earlier locations downtown, on Guadalupe Street, and at Delwood Shopping Center. (kvue.com) Customers crowded the Airport Boulevard store on April 27 after the shutdown news spread, lining up for boxed chocolates and pralines before the final closure. (austinpost.com) Austin Business Journal reported on April 28 that Lammes is open to a sale if it finds the right buyer, leaving a narrow path for the brand to survive beyond the store closures. (bizjournals.com) For now, the candy cases on Airport Boulevard are still stocked, but the company says the goodbye is underway. (kvue.com)