A return of chocolate-making to Marshall Field building

Good morning, Chicago.

For nearly 70 years, workers minted Frango chocolates on the 13th floor of the Marshall Field & Co. building on State Street.

Frango production moved out of state in 1999 to the dismay of civic leaders and local mint chocolate aficionados. More than two decades later, chocolate has made its return to the upper floors of the building now anchored by the Macy’s department store, where candy giant Ferrero is opening its first North American research and development lab and innovation center.

The Tribune visited Ferrero’s labs, located on the building’s ninth floor, prior to a grand opening planned for today. Here, research teams will develop new product recipes, though sweets will not be manufactured on-site.

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