Pearson's Candy Closed Saint Paul Factory
The shuttering of this facility eliminates 80 jobs and leaves the future of the brand's production uncertain.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Promise Confections ceased operations at its Pearson's Candy factory on West 7th Street in late September 2026. The move resulted in the elimination of 80 jobs after the company originally announced the closure in July 2026.
Why it matters
The closure represents a significant contraction for a local manufacturer, leaving the future of the product line in question. While a group of local investors has submitted an offer to purchase the company, parent entity Promise Holdings has not confirmed if it will continue production elsewhere or discontinue the items entirely.
The closure of the Saint Paul plant eliminated 80 jobs. It remains unknown if Promise Holdings will maintain production elsewhere or discontinue the product line.
The players
Pearson's Candy
A food manufacturer based in Minnesota that operated a long-standing facility in Saint Paul.
Promise Confections
The parent company responsible for the operation and eventual closure of the Saint Paul factory.
Promise Holdings
The holding entity that manages Promise Confections and holds decision-making power over the brand's production future.
The details
Promise Confections, a subsidiary of Promise Holdings, ended all manufacturing activity at the West 7th Street facility in late September 2026. Although local investors have expressed interest in acquiring the business, the parent company has not yet provided clarity on the brand's manufacturing future.
Timeline
July 2026: Promise Confections announced the planned factory closure.
September 2026: Production officially ceased at the Saint Paul factory.
Market Landscape
This shutdown marks a major shift for a legacy brand with a presence in the local market dating back to at least 2004. The factory closure follows a pattern of consolidation within the manufacturing sector.
Local operators should watch for potential asset sales or brand divestitures if the investor group's offer is accepted. Closely monitor whether production is moved to an outside contractor or if the brand is fully offloaded.
The takeaway
The end of local manufacturing at the Saint Paul facility serves as a reminder to track the operational status of legacy suppliers. Operators should verify supply chain continuity for these specific product lines while waiting for parent company guidance on potential acquisition deals.
Further reading
For more on the regional industrial climate, see our latest coverage on Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Tribune.
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