Sharing Chocolate Memories Since 1949

The Madelaine Chocolate factory complex takes up three square blocks between Beach Channel Drive and the Rockaway Freeway. For 60 years, The Madelaine Chocolate Company has been a part of almost every family celebration throughout the United States, company officials say. "So many of those adorable, foiled, chocolate Santas, Easter rabbits, hearts, roses, cigars and stars that have delighted adults and children for generations were created right here in Rockaway, in the Madelaine chocolate factory," a spokesperson for the company says.

Now, The Madelaine Chocolate Company itself has good reason to celebrate. Six decades and three generations later, the company is still going strong, "making more incredible chocolates than ever before."

How did this tiny family business flourish over six decades?

According to company officials, they use only the finest ingredients to create their highly detailed molded chocolate novelties. Then they wrap each chocolate in imported Italian foils with colors and designs that reflect the details of the shape. Chocolate lovers were so impressed with the look, texture and taste of Madelaine chocolates that they brought the foils to the store, pointed to the small print that read: Manufactured by Madelaine Chocolate Novelties, Inc., Rockaway Beach, N.Y, and insisted on Madelaine Santas and Easter rabbits, year after year.

Today, officials say, in addition to the company's traditional foiled chocolates, customers who visit their own company sales outlet will find chocolate truffles, bridge mix, malt balls, dark chocolates (made with 72 percent cacao) and sugar free products in many gourmet chocolate shops and fine department stores across the nation, many of which are listed on the company website, www.madelainechocolate. com.

While some things have certainly changed over the past 60 years, officials say, many things have also remained the same.

When two brothers-in-law, Henry Kaye and Jack Gold, and their partner, Jacob Pludwinski, founded The Madelaine Chocolate Company in 1949, they operated the business out of a small loft space on the west side of Manhattan.

They called their fledgling enterprise Madelaine because they wanted their company to have an air of quality and sophistication.

Henry, in particular, loved the elegance and beauty of a popular Hollywood actress at the time, and so they agreed that the name Madelaine would be very fitting.

The factory may be a lot bigger and more impressive, but it is still located in New York ... in fact it takes up three square blocks on Beach Channel Drive.

Today, members of the second and third generations of Kayes and Golds are actively involved in the business their parents / grandparents started. Under their administration, more flavors and varieties are being produced, and more gift bags and boxes are being created to showcase Madelaine's chocolates.

With 60 years as a successful chocolate manufacturer, Madelaine is looking forward to producing great chocolates for the next 60 years … and chocolate lovers everywhere can still look forward to eating them on those special occasions.