By David W. Behrend, Staff Reporter
The borough is a little sweeter than Connecticut -- at least that's what one new fudge factory in Port Morris thinks.
Norwalk Candies Inc. recently opened up shop on 145th Street after an incentive package from Connecticut's Economic Development Office fell through, said Mike Madison, Norwalk's marketing director. While New York's high costs and taxes have led many businesses to pack up and move, Norwalk found good reasons to come to the Bronx.
The company plans to introduce three flavors of Joy's Favorite Fudge -- chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate walnut. The fudge is covered with a layer of rich chocolate.
"It's like something out of Willy Wonka," Madison said.
Madison said he is glad the company ended up in Port Morris rather than Norwalk, Conn.
"There are some tremendous benefits from being here," he said.
The rent is affordable and the factory plans to use all borough suppliers as soon as possible, he said.
The borough's network of highways provides easy access throughout the Northeast. Norwalk's research found about 100,000 outlets for the fudge between Philadelphia and Maine. Norwalk hopes to sell the fudge everywhere from gourmet shops to chain supermarkets.
"Wherever candy is sold, we hope to be," Madison said.
Norwalk moved into half a parking garage at 875 E. 145th St. six months ago and transformed it into a fudge factory.
The company began cooking up test batches and perfecting the process a few weeks ago, Madison said. Six workers make the fudge during the day, and a night shift of three package the product. All the employees are from the borough, he said.
Norwalk expects the product to be in stores within two months. When the shop goes into full production, it will need 20 to 30 workers, Madison said.
The factory expects to churn out about 800 pounds of fudge a day -- more than 500,000 pounds a year, according to Madison.
The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. which has helped new businesses in the area for 22 years, assisted Norwalk with finding distributors and hiring and training employees, said Dennis Glennen of the development corporation.
"I think Norwalk has made a great move and they'll be successful," Glennen said. "We're committed to helping them out."
At the plant, a variety of machines cover the shop floor -- giant mixing bowls, a cooker, water-cooled tables and a packaging device called the Super Mustang that can wrap 180 pieces of fudge a minute. The rich smell of chocolate fills the room.
One of Norwalk's employees, Maria Santiago, said she is happy with the job she started only a week ago. She looked up from the table where she was cutting fudge with a wide, white-handled knife.
"I like it," said Santiago, who lives nearby on Bruckner Boulevard. She smiled and added, "I like the peanut butter best."
A co-worker, Miriam Cruz, said she appreciates the training she has received, ranging from weighing the ingredients to cutting the final product.
"It's like an adventure because you get to do different things," she said.
The development corporation is eager to help Norwalk find more workers and provide other help as the company grows, Glennen said.
"We want to keep them in the South Bronx," he said.