The Mary Lincoln Candy Company was founded in Buffalo in 1916. It was one of a number of local candy companies operating in Buffalo at the time (Emerick, National Candy, Hughes Quality Shop were others listed in the 1918 Chamber of Commerce directory). The company sold its candy from its own stores and through retail outlets. Its motto was "Old Fashioned Goodness in Every Piece." The company name may have been chosen as part of the fashion of naming candy companies after famous American women; Martha Washington Candies were made in Washington, D.C. and Betsy Ross Candies in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photos below are from a 1921 booklet prepared to advertise the sale of stocks in the new corporation. Private collection.)

The L.R. Steel Company, a local Buffalo company that was expanding from its chain store base, purchased the successful candy company and, in 1921, incorporated it as the Mary Lincoln Candy Company, Inc. As Steel had done with his other acquisitions, he sold stock in the candy company.

To run the company, Steel chose Charles S. Clark, a Steel company man who had risen through the ranks of the company until he became manager of all the Steel Cafeterias. His job was to expand the Mary Lincoln Candy Company, Inc. until there were 500 shops and 50 candy factories nationwide. The company's offices were at 297 Washington Street in Buffalo, the same building where the Steel Cafeteria was located and a few doors from the Steel Company general offices.

The factory on 170 Eaton Street, between Jefferson and Michigan Avenues. In 2010, the location is a vacant lot.

Store at 604 Main Street. The site in 2010 is covered by Comfort Suites.

The company described the interiors thus: "All are decorated with pure white the predominating color. The counters for the display are white with heavy plate glass coverings and the shelves are in white. The varieties of candy are carefully displayed and arranged in such as way as to minimize handling. Comely attired clerks place the candy in boxes with silver tongs especially made for that purpose."

Interior of 604 Main Street

Store at 1395 Main Street. In 2010, the Utica Metro station occupies this site.

Interior of 1395 Main Street