The Hershey Company to Open New Retail Experience in City Where it All Began

HERSHEY, Pa., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On Wednesday, June 15, "Sweet Home Chicago" becomes even sweeter with the grand opening of Hershey's Chicago at 822 N. Michigan Avenue on the city's Magnificent Mile(R). Hershey's Chicago is a 3,600 square-foot interactive retail experience that combines elements of Hershey's Times Square (which opened in 2002), and Hershey's Chocolate World attraction (located in Hershey, Pa.), with a unique atmosphere that embraces Chicago with a special Hershey's touch.

Hershey's Chicago is the ultimate destination for kids, families and anyone who loves Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and all the other brands from The Hershey Company. "Hershey's Chicago will surround consumers with the sights, smells, tastes -- and magic -- of our brands," said Tom Hernquist, Senior Vice President and President U.S. Confectionery, The Hershey Company. "Hershey's Chicago is an interactive experience that is fun for the entire family."

Mayor Richard M. Daley today welcomed Hershey's Chicago to the city. The new "interactive retail experience" allows visitors to create and dispense Hershey's candy products.

"Everybody likes Hershey's chocolate," Daley said at a ceremony at the store, 822 N. Michigan Avenue. "But, as mayor, what I really like about this store is that it strengthens the economy of our city.

"Neighborhood jobs are a top priority of mine -- and we continue to provide a wide variety of financial incentives and services to persuade companies to locate in outlying areas of our city," Daley said.

Customers will be treated to a unique interactive experience at Hershey's Chicago. The Hershey's Magnificent Chocolate Works machine allows visitors to become "Official Hershey's Factory Workers," complete with "employee" photo IDs, factory worker hats, and the opportunity to package Hershey's brand products. Visitors have a chance to show off their creative skills and operate the Magnificent Chocolate Works machine to create and dispense a personalized mix of Hershey's products, including Hershey's miniatures, Reese's peanut butter cups, Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates, and more. With the help of gravity, Hershey's products cascade through intertwining chutes and drop into a nostalgic and whimsical candy machine to produce a truly personalized assortment.

Hershey's Chicago also features Cookies and Cocoa-To-Go, a presentation bakery where "Hersheyizers" entertain visitors as they custom decorate a selection of delicious cupcakes, cookies and brownies. Also at the bakery, customers can pick from a selection of hot and cold beverages -- each with its own special Hershey's touch. And of course, Hershey's Chicago showcases a comprehensive collection of favorite Hershey's products, and the latest in exciting, new snacks such as Hershey's Take 5 candy bars and Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates filled with caramel, and other one-of-a-kind items found only at Hershey's Chicago.

Chicago is Where it All Began

The Hershey Company has an important historical connection to the City of Chicago. While visiting Chicago during The World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, Milton Hershey, already a successful caramel manufacturer, discovered the German chocolate-making equipment that he eventually would use to revolutionize the chocolate industry. After Mr. Hershey's visit to Chicago, he purchased the machinery and, shortly thereafter, the newly established Hershey Chocolate Company began manufacturing cocoa and sweet chocolate confections.

Now, more than 100 years later, "The Great American Chocolate Company" is thrilled to open a themed retail experience in the city where it all began -- Chicago. Located at 822 North Michigan Avenue -- at Loyola University Chicago's Lewis Towers -- Hershey's Chicago offers people the chance to experience the fun of Hershey's brands in a unique environment.

"We are thrilled to bring Hershey's back to the city where Milton Hershey's chocolate-making dreams originated," said Don Papson, Vice President of Consumer Interactive, The Hershey Company. "Hershey's chocolate has a long and deep-rooted connection to Chicago, and this new venue will give Chicagoans and visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Hershey's brands like never before."

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is a leading snack food company and the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Hershey markets such well-known brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, York, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, and Ice Breakers as well as innovative new products such as Swoops and Hershey's S'mores. In addition to its traditional confectionery products, Hershey offers a variety of snack products to consumers, including Hershey's Cookies, Mauna Loa macadamia nuts, and Hershey's Snack Barz. Hershey also provides a range of products specifically developed to address the nutritional interests of today's health-conscious consumer. These products include sugar- free Hershey's, Reese's and York candies as well as Hershey's SmartZone bars for people seeking balanced nutrition. It also markets Hershey's cocoa, which is a natural source of antioxidants, Hershey's syrup and other branded baking ingredients and toppings. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com/