Iconic Blommer Chocolate in River West reportedly up for sale

The family that owns Blommer Chocolate Co. is considering selling it, according to a report by Bloomberg citing “people with knowledge of the matter.”

Those sources, who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, say the company is working with an investment bank to look at options. The business is already attracting interest from at least one European strategic acquirer and private equity firms, one of the sources told Bloomberg.

“As a very successful family business and a leader in our industry, we regularly receive inbound interest in our company,” Chief Executive Officer Peter Blommer said in an emailed statement. “We are continuously looking at a variety of options that can accelerate our growth strategy given the tremendous global opportunities in our industry.”

Blommer, located at 600 W. Kinzie, has been expanding in recent years, with a $40 million acquisition of a plant in Jinshan, China, in 2016 and the introduction of new brand Founders Reserve in May this year, according to the Bloomberg report.

A third-generation family business, the firm was founded by Henry Blommer Sr. and two brothers in 1939. For decades, their 270,000-square-foot factory has produced one of the most distinctive downtown smells, a sweet fudge scent that travels well on warm, breezy days.

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