In mid-20th-century Brooklyn, Barton’s Bonbonniere brought more than just chocolate to the neighborhood, it was a theatrical experience wrapped in foil and ribbon. Founded by Viennese chocolatier Stephen Klein, Barton’s transformed American candy into something elegant, whimsical, and unapologetically bold. At the heart of it all stood the flagship factory at 80 DeKalb Avenue: a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility that churned out thousands of chocolate boxes daily and anchored a nationwide network of over 3,000 stores shelfing Barton’s.
Barton’s chocolates were as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate. Molded into sleek geometric shapes and adorned with etched logos, each piece was crafted with precision. Some resembled miniature bottles filled with espresso, eggnog, or liqueur; others were packed in candy boxes timed to last the length of a movie. Barton’s signature European-style chocolate was smooth, richly flavored, and far less sugary than mass-market bars. Klein believed opening a box of chocolates should feel like stepping into a Technicolor musical: surprising, glamorous, and joyful.
The storefronts mirrored that spirit. Painted in vivid yellow-greens and magentas, they stood in dramatic contrast to the muted candy counters of the day. Barton’s did not just sell sweets, it celebrated them. The DeKalb Avenue factory, with its bustling production lines and sweet aroma, became a Brooklyn landmark and a symbol of postwar optimism and flair.
Though Bartons’ disappeared from shelves in 2009, its legacy lives on. It captured a moment when chocolate was more than a treat, it was an event, a little piece of joy wrapped in cellophane, straight from the heart of Brooklyn.
Step into the sweet legacy of 80 DeKalb Avenue, where Barton’s turned handcrafted chocolate into a national sensation. This was not just candy, it was a symbol of survival and celebration. Blending European tradition with American flair, Barton’s was Broadway in a bonbon, staging America’s most glamorous chocolate show right in Brooklyn.
Campus: Queens College
Professor: Archie Porter
Location: 80 Dekalb Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11201
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