Photo gallery: Bittersweet farewell to Winnipeg’s iconic candy company Posted: Last Modified:

The memories are coated in sugar, but the economic reality remains tough to swallow.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2024 (739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The memories are coated in sugar, but the economic reality remains tough to swallow.

Winnipeg’s iconic candy company, the Nutty Club, closed earlier this year after more than a century of business. Parent company Scott-Bathgate Ltd. said at the time it could no longer operate without significant investments in order to compete with national distributors.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A sunflower seed packaging machine at the Nutty Club’s Galt Avenue warehouse in the East Exchange District. The shuttered confectionery company is currently auctioning off remaining supplies and machinery.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A sunflower seed packaging machine at the Nutty Club’s Galt Avenue warehouse in the East Exchange District. The shuttered confectionery company is currently auctioning off remaining supplies and machinery.

An online auction is currently underway, with bids closing Sept. 24. The auction features nuts, candy, baking supplies, Pez dispensers, popcorn, toys, and packaging and roasting equipment, among other items.

Free Press photographer Mike Deal visited the company’s East Exchange locations last week, where the remnants offer a stark reminder of a once-booming candy-manufacturing industry in the city.

Parting was such sweet sorrow.

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS The Nutty Club’s once-bustling manufacturing facilities at the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and Portage Avenue East now sit vacant.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

The Nutty Club’s once-bustling manufacturing facilities at the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and Portage Avenue East now sit vacant.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Nutty Club warehouse and packaging facility at 130 Galt Avenue where everything is getting ready to be put up for auction.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Nutty Club warehouse and packaging facility at 130 Galt Avenue where everything is getting ready to be put up for auction.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A display with a number of treats.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A display with a number of treats.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Popcorn-making equipment
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Popcorn-making equipment
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Vintage conveyor belts at the Nutty Club were once staffed by employees boxing items for distribution.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Vintage conveyor belts at the Nutty Club were once staffed by employees boxing items for distribution.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Ingredients used in popcorn-making process.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Ingredients used in popcorn-making process.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS The doorway to the employee’s break room.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

The doorway to the employee’s break room.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Colourful tables and benches adorn a break room in one of the Nutty Club’s manufacturing facilities.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Colourful tables and benches adorn a break room in one of the Nutty Club’s manufacturing facilities.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A drawer in the company’s employee kitchen.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A drawer in the company’s employee kitchen.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A broom leans against a tables that would have been used to package up orders for distribution.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A broom leans against a tables that would have been used to package up orders for distribution.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Boxes of Pearled Peanuts.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Boxes of Pearled Peanuts.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A container of Food Club Mustard.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A container of Food Club Mustard.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Old shipping label stencils sit covered in black ink.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Old shipping label stencils sit covered in black ink.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A pegboard of rubber stamps.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A pegboard of rubber stamps.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Wooden paddles once used for stirring popcorn.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Wooden paddles once used for stirring popcorn.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A machine used to make ice-cream cones.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A machine used to make ice-cream cones.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Shelves remain stocked with old office supplies in one of the company’s buildings.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Shelves remain stocked with old office supplies in one of the company’s buildings.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Boxes full of various rubber stamps.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Boxes full of various rubber stamps.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A sign in almost perfect condition hangs on the wall of the warehouse.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A sign in almost perfect condition hangs on the wall of the warehouse.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Control switches on a candy-packaging machine
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Control switches on a candy-packaging machine
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A roll of bags that would have been used to hold Scotch Mints is still on a machine.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A roll of bags that would have been used to hold Scotch Mints is still on a machine.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Old cupboards with various bits and bobs from when the business was running.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Old cupboards with various bits and bobs from when the business was running.
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