Lammes Candies

What to know

Lammes Candies has been a sweet staple of Austin, Texas, for generations. The business traces its origins to 1878 when William Wirt Lamme founded the enterprise, which officially opened its doors on July 10, 1885. Since then, it has been family-owned and operated, eventually passing down to the fifth generation of the Lamme family. Recognized as one of the oldest continuously run businesses in Austin, it has remained a vital part of local culture, serving the community with a massive selection of over 1,000 different confectioneries and treats. The crown jewel of Lammes Candies is the world-famous Texas Chewie Pecan Praline, which stands as the company's top-selling product. In its early days, these signature pralines were crafted using pecans gathered from trees growing along Austin's Colorado River. Today, the confectionery proudly maintains this tradition by using only Texas-grown pecans to produce more than 2,000 pounds of these chewy treats daily. Over its long history, Lammes Candies has occupied several notable spots across Austin. The original store, known as the Red Front Candy Factory, was situated on the 800 block of Congress Avenue. The shop later moved to 919 Congress Avenue, where it welcomed customers until 1956. At its peak, the firm operated eight retail stores across Texas and employed nearly ninety workers. In recent times, economic pressures and changing market conditions led to the closure of several retail outlets, including locations at Hillside and Lakeline Mall, and eventually its Round Rock store. While the company announced it is winding down after 141 years, its flagship retail store at 5330 Airport Boulevard has remained open temporarily to sell remaining inventory and fulfill orders alongside its online store.

Visitor tips

• Check the flagship store's hours before visiting; it is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM and closed on Sundays.
• Be sure to purchase their top-selling Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines, which are made using Texas-grown pecans.
• Keep in mind that this flagship location is operating temporarily as the historic business winds down its operations.

Nearby context

Located on Airport Boulevard, Lammes Candies sits in a bustling area of Austin that blends retro charm with modern developments. Though it moved away from its historic downtown Congress Avenue locations decades ago, this flagship store serves as a nostalgic anchor for the surrounding neighborhood, offering visitors a delicious connection to Austin's 19th-century mercantile roots.