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Sadly, I’ve just learned of the closing of aYorkville institution. Elk Candy Company, purveyor of fine handmade chocolates, marzipan and gingerbread is now closed. They were located on 86th street for most of their history before settling into their 2nd Avenue store a few years ago. My mother-in-law was a customer of this establishment for decades, but under an assumed name.
Back in the ‘40s or ‘50s she was strolling with a Germanic friend of hers down 86th Street around the holidays and popped in to look at the marvelous gingerbread houses. My Mother-in-Law inquired about purchasing one. An indignant Frau behind the counter replied that one cannot expect to order a gingerbread house just a few days before Christmas. Her friend addressed the counter lady in high German and after a few words, the apologetic sales person then offered to let them put in their orders. The German lady offered to put the order in her name, but my Mother-in-Law (who is Italian and has and Italian name) butted in saying, “no, put it under my name – Mrs. Adolph Nichol. (using an in-law’s name).”
Well, after a good laugh she got her gingerbread house. And a year later, she returned expecting the incident to be forgotten. But as soon as she walked in the door, the sales woman greeted her – “Hello, Mrs. Nichol.” My mother-in-law felt obligated to continue the charade, which only grew over the years – when she started bringing her son, “Hans” and when her new son-in-law "Ernst Lederman,” started picking up the orders for her. After the business turned over to Swiss ownership a few years ago, I did spill the beans to them. They enjoyed the story and knew exactly who the counter lady was in the story.
That said, I’ve never found another store with marzipan nearly as creamy and good as theirs. Other shops have beautiful marzipan creations with rich colors that look exactly like small fruits or veggies – they looked better, but usually have a terrible taste (I assume too much food color). And no one could match their gingerbread houses held together with dark chocolate caulking.
Auf Wiedersehen!
(Thanks to "The Blue Apple" NYC.com member for the sad news.)
Photo from the Elk Candy Company Web site.
Tags:
86th street, auf wiedersehen, chocolate, elk candy, german, ginger bread, marzipan
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Posted on 7/13/2006
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