At the turn of the 20th century, small and colorful “montpensier” candies were extremely popular in the Russian Empire. They were also known as “landrinki” after the name of their creator — the successful entrepreneur Georg Landrin. He is credited with the idea of packing sweet-scented candies in beautiful tin boxes.
Feodor Landrin was born into a family of Baltic Germans in Nizhny Novgorod Governorate. He began his career as a sales clerk in the famous Wolf and Beranger candy store on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg.
Feodor Landrin quickly mastered the delicate art of candy making. The clever young man soon started his own business. He began making lollipops and selling them at the Gostiny Dvor. Using the money he had earned, Landrin set up his first candy workshop.
In 1860, he launched the production of lollipops under the trademark “Georg Landrin”. By this time Feodor Landrin decided to adopt a foreign name and to pronounce his family name in a French manner by emphasizing the last syllable. The customers were attracted not only by the sweet-scented candies without wrappers but also by the bright tin boxes. Oftentimes people bought the candies just to get a beautiful tin box.
There is also a “Moscow” legend concerning the famous brand’s history. It was described in detail by Vladimir Gilyarovsky in his book “Moscow and Muscovites”. The author noted that the famous rooster lollipops were a popular treat in Russia. Over time, small and colorful hard candies of French origin also became widespread. The artisan Feodor Landrin was great at making such candies, and he sold them in bulk to the store of merchant Yeliseyev.
One day, Feodor Landrin forgot to wrap his candies in paper. Yeliseyev scolded the hapless merchant and refused to accept the goods. Feodor sat down on a bench near a women’s gymnasium and placed a tray of candy next to him.
Girls noticed the candies and very quickly bought them up. Landrin figured out that it was a rather profitable idea and began to sell candy on his own. When he had saved enough money, he set up his own business and took on the more harmonious name of Georg.
The tasty and inexpensive candies were extremely popular with all sorts of people, from workers and students to members of the imperial family. The peak of the brand’s fame was marked by Landrin receiving the title of Supplier of the Court of His Imperial Majesty.
Feodor Landrin was born into a family of Baltic Germans in Nizhny Novgorod Governorate. He began his career as a sales clerk in the famous Wolf and Beranger candy store on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg.
Feodor Landrin quickly mastered the delicate art of candy making. The clever young man soon started his own business. He began making lollipops and selling them at the Gostiny Dvor. Using the money he had earned, Landrin set up his first candy workshop.
In 1860, he launched the production of lollipops under the trademark “Georg Landrin”. By this time Feodor Landrin decided to adopt a foreign name and to pronounce his family name in a French manner by emphasizing the last syllable. The customers were attracted not only by the sweet-scented candies without wrappers but also by the bright tin boxes. Oftentimes people bought the candies just to get a beautiful tin box.
There is also a “Moscow” legend concerning the famous brand’s history. It was described in detail by Vladimir Gilyarovsky in his book “Moscow and Muscovites”. The author noted that the famous rooster lollipops were a popular treat in Russia. Over time, small and colorful hard candies of French origin also became widespread. The artisan Feodor Landrin was great at making such candies, and he sold them in bulk to the store of merchant Yeliseyev.
One day, Feodor Landrin forgot to wrap his candies in paper. Yeliseyev scolded the hapless merchant and refused to accept the goods. Feodor sat down on a bench near a women’s gymnasium and placed a tray of candy next to him.
Girls noticed the candies and very quickly bought them up. Landrin figured out that it was a rather profitable idea and began to sell candy on his own. When he had saved enough money, he set up his own business and took on the more harmonious name of Georg.
The tasty and inexpensive candies were extremely popular with all sorts of people, from workers and students to members of the imperial family. The peak of the brand’s fame was marked by Landrin receiving the title of Supplier of the Court of His Imperial Majesty.
