# Sweet Stash moves to Chicago

> Candy artists relocate Wonka-style gummies to Chicago's historic candy hub.
- Title: Sweet Stash moves to Chicago · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify
- Summary: Candy artists relocate Wonka-style gummies to Chicago's historic candy hub. Martin Starr and identical twins Ezra and Adeev Potash moved Sweet Stash…
- Keywords: sweet stash, martin starr, ezra potash, adeev potash, jelly belly, chicago, gummy candies, additive-free, candy production, suburban chicago, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2026/09/23/sweet-stash-martin-starr-ezra-adeev-potash-chicago-production
- Published: 2026-09-23T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: sweet stash, martin starr, ezra potash, adeev potash, jelly belly, chicago, gummy candies, additive-free, candy production, suburban chicago, news, local
## Sweet Stash founders
Martin Starr and identical twins Ezra and Adeev Potash cofounded Sweet Stash last fall with an additive-free gummy.

> We are obsessed with candy beyond what’s normal and maybe even healthy
## Candy obsession
The trio discovered complex candy flavors through globe-trekking and became obsessed with candy beyond what’s normal.

> We’ve been candy people long before we became candy vendors
## Chicago relocation
Sweet Stash moved production from Albion, Nebraska to Ferrara’s 113-year-old Jelly Belly plant in April.
## Production scale
The North Chicago plant churns out 160,000 bags per month, four times the 40,000 bags produced at the Albion plant.
## Chicago’s candy history
Chicago has been a candy epicenter for over a century with historic confectionery plants like Jelly Belly.
## Retail success
More than 300 specialty retailers nationwide carry Sweet Stash, including 10 to 15 in Chicago.
## Candy innovation
The founders lamented American candy conglomerates prioritizing fiber and protein over ingredient purity.
## Candy philosophy
The trio created gummies with texture that 'bites back' and flavor dimensionality of Japanese and Swedish candies.
## Flavor journey
Sweet Stash gummies offer texture and flavor journeys like Prickly Pear’s tart-to-melony transition.
## Chicago’s candy future
Chicago will host the 60,000-square-foot Candy Hall of Fame Experience opening in 2027.
## Candy industry shift
The move represents a bright spot for Chicago amid confectionery plant closures like Blommers’ and Mars Wrigley’s.
## Candy science
The founders aim to create gummies so out there they must wait for science to catch up.
## Candy legacy
The trio donated a percentage of profits to arts education initiatives, honoring their public arts roots.
## Candy community
Chicago’s candy community includes historic shops like Margie’s Candies with 105-year history.
## Candy production
Sweet Stash uses advanced equipment to maintain consistency in texture and flavor as it scales production.
## Candy future
The trio sees Chicago as 'Candyland USA' where innovation happens amid historic candy production.
## Key takeaway

Martin Starr and identical twins Ezra and Adeev Potash moved Sweet Stash production to Chicago's Jelly Belly plant to scale their additive-free gummies amid growing demand.