Fannie May Confections Brands, a subsidiary of multititle mailer 1-800-Flowers.com, has leased a distribution center in Maple Heights, OH. The 165,000-sq.-ft. DC will support the growth of the confection business for Harry London and Fannie May brands. The new facility will create about 10 new full-time jobs, as well as numerous part-time positions during peak seasons.
Fannie May Confections Brands continues its retail growth with plans to open additional stores this fall in northeast Ohio. The candy merchant now has stores in Hudson and Fairview Park, OH. 1-800-Flowers.com bought Fannie May Confections Brands from Alpine Confections in April 2006 paying approximately $85 million in cash for the company.
Joe Pititto, a spokesperson for Carle, NY-based 1-800-Flowers.com, says the Maple Heights facility “does not replace any of our existing facilities, however, it will allow us to consolidate product and eliminate some seasonal renting of various smaller facilities.”
The company’s other distribution centers are located in Canton, OH (part of the Harry London chocolate factory); Westerville, OH (part of the Cheryl & Co. baked goods plant); Lake Forest, IL (part of The Popcorn Factory production facility); and Melrose Park, IL (part of the DesignPac Gifts facility).
The Maple Heights DC is designed to handle the company’s anticipated growth in the gourmet food and gift baskets category, Pititto says. 1-800-Flowers.com said last week it is selling its Home and Children’s Gifts business segment to focus on floral and food gifts.