Reed’s Candy is a historic American confectionery brand that originated in Chicago and is best known for its hard candy rolls, particularly butterscotch. The brand’s visual identity has evolved from its Chicago manufacturing roots to its current production under Iconic Candy Company of New York, which relaunched the line with updated packaging graphics.
Design and History
Reed’s Candy was founded in 1893 by William and Eugene Reed of Chicago, who started the company with their father for the production and sale of butterscotch candies.[1] The company expanded its line with its top-selling product, the hard candy roll, and by 1921 had developed custom machinery that allowed the product to go from the cooking phase directly into packaging. The pieces were packaged eight to a roll with a cellophane button-wrapper to protect freshness.[1]
Since 2012, Reed’s hard candies have been manufactured by Iconic Candy Co. of New York City, described as a successor in interest of Reed Candy Company of Chicago.[1] Iconic Candy uses the original 133-year-old formula and tradition to make Reed’s Butterscotch, still molding hard candy from a heated syrup state and individually wrapping each piece.[2] In 2023, Iconic Candy announced the relaunch of Reed’s hard candy in four flavors (butterscotch, cinnamon, peppermint and root beer) in 6.25-ounce peg bags that feature updated graphics.[3]
Current Reed’s packaging carries the phrase “Since 1893” alongside the Iconic Candy branding, with individual rolls containing seven pieces of candy.[4][5]
Meaning and Symbolism
Historical documentation of the Reed’s brand identity is limited. A 1931 photograph from the Wisconsin Historical Society shows a Lewis Pharmacy display window featuring Reed’s butterscotch rolls, created for Reed Candy Co. at 1245 Fletcher St., Chicago.[6] The Grand Rapids Public Museum holds a vintage Reed’s Butter Scotch Wafers container labeled “Pure as Gold” from Reed Candy Company of Chicago, indicating the brand’s early emphasis on product quality in its packaging language.[7]
No documented source confirms specific symbolic meaning behind the brand’s color palette or logo elements. The current packaging identifies the product as “all natural, with no artificial colors & no artificial flavoring,” a claim that functions as part of the brand’s present-day identity message.[4]
Typography and Design
Specific typography and design details for the Reed’s logo are not documented in available primary sources. The brand’s current packaging prominently displays “Since 1893” as a heritage marker, along with the Iconic Candy company name.[5] The 2023 relaunch introduced updated graphics on peg bags, though the specific design changes were not detailed in the announcement.[3]
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