Flashback Minis: Harry B. Burt Confection Box

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio– Housed inside the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Arms Family Museum, you can find this empty, gift-wrapped box. Printed on the box is “Compliments of Harry B. Burt. 1906..” Once upon a time, it contained confections from Burt’s Confectionery.

Harry B. Burt opened his first storefront selling penny candy in Youngstown on S. Hazel St. in 1893. Burt’s business would grow and move to a new building at 25 N. Phelps Street. Expansion of that location would bring about a candy counter, soda fountain and a dining room. Burt also developed new products at his location on Phelps St. including the “Good Humor” ice cream bar.

As the business continued to expand with high demand for the new ice cream bar, Burt acquired the building at 325 W. Federal St. in 1921 and opened his new confectionery there in April 1922. Today, the building is home to MVHS’s Tyler History Center.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.