2020 Massachusetts Manufacturing Awards 19
H
arbor Sweets has been
producing handcrafted
chocolate in the same
historic brick building in Salem,
Massachusetts for 47 years. Staying
true to the founding principles and
original brand philosophy, owner and
CEO, Phyllis LeBlanc, is committed
to producing a product of the
highest quality. Since purchasing
the company from founder Ben
Strohecker in 1998, LeBlanc has
expanded business significantly by
adding four new product lines, two
additional brick and mortar stores,
as well as increasing sales in the mail
order and wholesale departments.
Currently, the company employees
over 80 people.
As a woman-owned business
employing many women, Harbor
Sweets tries to work around people's
schedules. Providing part-time
employment allows the flexibility
for working mothers and their
families. Harbor Sweets also has
a long history of giving back to the
community, pledging 5% of pretax
profits to community outreach
and supporting a variety of local
agencies. She currently sits on the
Executive Cabinet of NEADs and The
Advisory Council of The House of the
Seven Gables and previously served
on the Board of Directors of New
England Dressage Association, The
House of Seven Gables, Salem State
College Enterprise Center and Salem
Chamber of Commerce.
The Corona Virus Pandemic has
made 2020 a challenging year.
Forced to close the retail stores
temporarily and seeing wholesale
orders waning during the lockdown,
Harbor Sweets saw record online
orders. As an essential business,
they were able to provide a little bit
of normalcy during this difficult time,
even if it was a box of chocolates.
Harbor Sweets
City/Town: Salem
Total Employees: 80+
Year Company Founded: 1973
Company Website:
www.harborsweets.com
Nominated by:
Senator Joan B. Lovely
M A S S A C H U S E T T S
Manufacturing Awards 20 20
Pictured: Senator Lovely (left) and
Phyllis LeBlanc, President & CEO
of Harbor Sweets
