Harbor Sweets

• Harbor Sweets candy company was founded by Ben (Benneville) Strohecker, in 1973. A former marketing director at Schrafft's, he started out making chocolates in the basement of his Marblehead home, later moving the company to a 19,000 square foot space in the Point neighborhood in Salem.

• In 1989, Ben Strohecker took a year sabbatical to work for AIDS awareness and education.

• In 1998, Phyllis LeBlanc, a long-time employee, bought the company from Strohecker.
• Strohecker stayed on for 6 more years to focus on public relations and marketing for the candy company.

• On April 19, 2016 at the age of 88, Ben Strohecker passed away.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Harbor Sweets

Harbor Sweets Company Website

"Sweet taste of success" Salem Evening News, Dec. 14, 1995, B1

"Candy man of the people: Strohecker gets kudos for chocolates and employee relations" Boston Sunday Globe, Mar. 29, 1992, p.N?

"Chamber honors AIDS crusader" Salem Evening News, Mar. 13, 1990, p.1

"AIDS activist buoyed by increased awareness" Salem Evening News, Nov. 16, 1991, p.1

"A candy dipper's sweet rise to the top" Salem Evening News, Nov. 27, 1998, p. A1

"Managing the new work force" Inc. Magazine, Jan. 1990, p.78-81

"In trust we manage" Industry Week, Mar. 34, 1991, p.26-8

"Candy-maker Strohecker lived a sweet life" Salem News, April 28, 2016, p. 1