Category Archives: Sweetest Day

In 1921, a committee  of 12 confectioners chaired by candymaker C. C. Hartzel, desired to do something for the ‘newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor in Cleveland, OH’.  They went about organizing the first ‘Sweetest Day’ set for the 3^rd Saturday in October.  Movie stars Theda Bara and Ann Pennington assisted in distributing 20,000 boxes of candy the needy citizens of Cleveland.  Within a decade, the holiday had spread across the Midwest.

Today it is still observed mainly in the Midwest, with the cities of Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and Buffalo being the locations for the largest celebrations.  While some still use the day to take gifts, flowers and candy to the underprivileged and the shut-ins in their neighborhood, others use it as a time to celebrate the loved ones in the lives.  While candy is still one of the predominate gifts given, the tradition has grown to include flowers, candy, and other gifts.

This year, Sweetest Day falls on October 20th. Manhattan’s American Bar and Grill invites you to celebrate your Sweetest Day with us all weekend-long:  Friday, October 19^th, Saturday, October 20^th and Sunday, October 21^st.  Our chefs are cooking up a fabulous menu for you and your loved one to enjoy.