About Us - Malley's Chocolates

"Sweet American Dream"

Albert Martin (Mike) Malley - Founder/President 1935 - 1967

Malley's Chocolates has been selling delicious chocolates and ice cream since 1935.
Here's how it all began… In 1935, Mike Malley dreamed the American Dream: owning a business. It was the middle of the Great Depression. One in five American workers were unemployed. Nearly half the banks open for business in 1929 had closed, taking with them $2 billion in customer deposits. But Albert Martin Malley's dream burned hot inside him, compelling him to chase it. He had worked in a chocolate store as a boy in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He had learned to create wonderful chocolates using a simple copper pot over an open flame. He had seen delight come to the faces of customers as they tasted those treats. Now he wanted to see it over and over again!

A Family Affair from the Beginning in 1935
Having no money, he borrowed $500.00. With half of the money, he rented and fixed up a small store and living quarters at 13401 Madison Avenue on the corner of Lewis Drive in Lakewood. The small store was originally a

delicatessen. He moved his young family into the back rooms and on September 22, 1935, with the remaining $250.00, he bought the materials and supplies needed to become a Chocolatier and Ice Cream Concoctioner. The candy kitchen was in the basement of the building. Gradually the deli inventory was sold and he continued making his own confections.

Albert, better known as Mike, was in business. Mike's love of chocolate and his ice cream "creamitivity" brought in customers. His wife, Jo, saw to it that the bills were paid on time, which brought respect in the business community. The kitchen where the candy was made was located in the basement of this building. Even more room was needed so Mike built an addition on the back of the building where the chocolate candy "hand dippers" worked.

Malley's second store was opened...

Malley's Chocolates might be best known for excellent chocolates, but Mike's ice cream concoctions were customer favorites from the beginning – and still are. On August 5, 1949, the second Malley's Chocolates ice cream parlor and chocolate store opened in Lakewood. It was the first all-aluminum retail store in America. On opening night, the Lakewood Police had to be called in to control the crowds.

Malley's Chocolates Fundraising
Malley's Chocolates is known for fine chocolates, exceptional personal service and fair prices. Assisting thousands of charitable and service organizations to raise money for good causes, through the sales of chocolates, is an important part of the Malley's Chocolates way of doing business. Malley's Fundraising program started in 1963. Full-color product guides are created each winter and spring holiday season to support these efforts. Organizations also sell chocolate bars throughout the year to raise funds. The bars have different delicious ingredients such as Crunch, Almond and Pretzel. We recently unveiled one-of-a-kind Internet Fundraising program. Check the fundraising link for more information.

In 1967 William M. Malley, Sr. became president of Malley's Chocolates.
Bill continued to add more retail stores. He bought a hardware store on Lorain Rd. and converted it into a Malley's Chocolates Shop and Ice Cream Parlor which opened on February 12, 1969. This chocolate shop and ice cream parlor is very unique. Bill wanted to put a Merry-Go-Round in the middle of the store. This revolving Merry-Go-Round is still in existence today.

As sales grew, the chocolate kitchen and factory had to be moved to larger quarters. In October of 1974 the kitchen was moved to Detroit Road in Lakewood, Ohio.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries were introduced to our customers in 1985. We covered the strawberries with creamy milk chocolate and sold them every weekend, Memorial Day through Labor Day. This special treat is now offered only on Valentine's Day (February 14^th) and Sweetest Day (third Saturday of October).

By 1990, our delicious chocolates and ice cream concoctions had become so popular that we moved to another larger location with 60,000 square feet to make our chocolates. This is our current factory located at 13400 Brookpark Road Cleveland, OH 44135.

Bill Malley, Sr. retired in 1996 and his wife Adele Ryan Malley became president.
Bill & Adele's son, Dan Malley had an idea for the Easter Season in 1998. He rented a 16,000 square foot tent which was erected on the east end of our Brookpark factory and store and named it BunnyLand. It was (and still is today at Easter Season) filled with thousands of chocolate rabbits, baskets, Carmallow & Marshmallow eggs, Jelly Beans by the jillions, and countless other Easter delights.

Adele Ryan Malley retired in 2003 and Dan Malley became president.

We are now a third generation Chocolate Candy Company.
Malley's Chocolates has expanded to 17 retail stores, 4 of them are designed with old fashioned ice cream parlors featuring delicious ice cream concoctions. Our 17th retail store has opened at 3362 Center Road E-20, Brunswick, Ohio 44212.