In the early 1890s Simon and Clemence Blum started a confectionery business in San Francisco, creating a brand that would become one of the nation’s largest. In 1907 they relocated to what become the store’s lifetime address at Polk and California after their earlier location was destroyed in the earthquake and catastrophic fire of 1906. By the 1920s, if not earlier, Blum’s was serving three meals a day in addition to selling their handmade confectionery.
With Simon’s death in 1915 and that of his son Jack in the 1930s, the business passed into the hands of Fred Levy who had married Simon’s daughter. This was in the depths of the Depression when few could afford candy and Blum’s was close to failing. Somehow Levy resurrected the business, getting through the Depression, and then sugar rationing during World War II. By 1947, the business was in good shape, reporting sales of over $3.5M, most of it coming from the Polk Street store, and the rest from sales in department stores and mail orders.
In addition to endless varieties of chocolate candies, Blum’s also specialized in ice cream, including its “fresh spinach” flavor, ice cream desserts, baked goods such as Koffee Krunch cake, fruit and vegetable salads, “Blumburgers,” and triple decker sandwiches.
Levy brought innovations, switching to machine production of candy in 1949 and, a few years later, introducing a successful 10-cent candy bar for sale in vending machines. The candy bars as well as a second brand of lower-priced boxed candy sold in Rexall drugstores under the name Candy Artists. These products developed out of his belief that postwar consumers were unwilling to pay for premium candy.
That year Blum’s opened its 2nd company-owned-and-operated store, in San Mateo. Its candy counters in department stores such as I. Magnin, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and others were not run by Blum’s.
Also in 1949 a “Blum’s Confectaurant” opened in San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel [shown above]. The Polk street store also had a confectaurant, as its combination soda fountain + candy counter + bakeshop + restaurant was known. The term refers to an eating place that has table service for dessert orders only as well as for meals, and was likely used only in California.
Levy sold his shares in Blum’s in 1952 and resigned as head, but the number of stores continued to grow under a succession of new owners. Expansion began in October 1953 with the opening of an outlet in the Stonestown Mall.
In 1956, in addition to Blum’s four San Francisco locations (Polk St., Fairmont Hotel, Stonestown, and Union Square), there were stores in Carmel, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Sacramento, and San Mateo and three more planned to open soon in Palo Alto, San Rafael, and San Jose.
A luxurious Blum’s opened in 1959 at Wilshire and Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, becoming the chain’s 16th location. It had a cleverly named “Board Room” reserved for men during the daytime, outfitted with dark paneling, crystal chandeliers, and a long cocktail bar — plus a stock ticker in the corner. Serving alcohol may have been an innovation for Blum’s at this time, repeated when their New York City location opened in 1965 on East 59th Street [see below]. Making an appeal to men was also new for Blum’s, which had customarily located in shopping areas where women abounded.
The New York Blum’s stayed in business only about six years, and two Oregon units opened in 1967 and 1968 fared even worse. The one in Salem closed after only nine months while Blum’s in Portland stayed in business fourteen months.
Since the late 1950s Blum’s had passed through the hands of various majority stockholders. The first, Owl/Rexall Drugs, was followed by the California-based chain Uncle John’s Pancake House. After Uncle John’s came General Host Corp., then National Environment in 1968, shortly thereafter renamed Envirofood. Things did not go well for Blum’s after that. In 1970 “surplus” equipment and furnishings were auctioned at the original Blum’s on Polk. The following year, the company was sold to an investor in Lincoln, Nebraska, who soon moved headquarters there. In 1972 he closed the Polk Street Blum’s, leading columnist Herb Caen to coin the term “glum Blummer.” In a few more years there would be no Blum’s left in San Francisco.
Blum’s candy continued to be produced for years despite the brand being acquired by a Kansas City MO company in 1983. Perhaps no longer world famous, it was undoubtedly remembered by Californians who recalled when “Blum’s of San Francisco” was a proud name. As late as 1984 a Blum’s Restaurant was in operation at the I. Magnin store in Los Angeles, where patrons could indulge themselves with a Giant Banana Bonanza for $3.95. And a florist in Napa CA was still selling boxes of Blum’s candy for Easter in 1991.
© Jan Whitaker, 2021
It's great to hear from readers and I take time to answer queries. I can't always find what you are looking for, but I do appreciate getting thank yous no matter what the outcome.
Restaurant-ing through history 
My grandmother lived in SF and Blum’s was a frequent lunch spot for us. Always shared a piece of the Coffee Crunch Cake. This article makes my heart sing! 🙂 ❤
(Continued re the cinnamon chocolate candy): Recently at See’s Candies, I bought one chocolate lollypop and one cinnamon lollypop. I put both in my mouth at the same time and enjoyed a very similar taste sensation to my favorite Blum’s candy bar.
Does anyone remember Blum’s Cinnamon bars from the San Mateo Blum’s . They were about 4″ x 2″ x 1/2″ and consisted of a rectangle of almost hard deep chocolate candy wrapped in a matte white cinnamon cover that looked similar to mochi ice cream bites (very smooth). The outside wrapper was a piece of clear cellophane with the Blum’s label glued to it. The ends were bluntly cut so you could see the chocolate candy at each end.
The mouth feel at the start of sucking on one end was this delicious taste of cinnamon and deep chocolate. If one sucked long enough, the chocolate would become soft enough to chew (and loosen a filing in your molar). I actually see and taste these candy bars in my 82-year old dreams.
I grew up on Polk St in San Francisco, CA. Blum’s was down the street from our apartment! It had a sweer shop and soda fountain to die for!! It was the best and I hold it as a Sweet memory to this day!
I don’t remember any residential properties that close to Union Square.
I grew up in Beverly Hills and remember all the wonderful times at Blum’s location at Beverly Drive and Wilshire!! After our 8th grade graduation from BHCS, we went to Blum’s for dessert!! A year ago we had a small reunion and I tried to duplicate the Koffee Krunch Cake!!! I was pleased that it tasted great and was a real surprise!!!
Fond memories!!
My aunt and my sister worked at Blum’s when it was inside Sears in downtown Renton. I used to go in there and get Parisian almonds.
I loved Blum’s when I was a little girl! Does anyone remember the beehive? Chocolate cake bottom, was there a bit of raspberry jam or the like and then a marshmallow or cream whip swirled on top to look like a beehive with the whole thing covered in a chocolate shell?
I loved Blum’s!!! I still think about it often. I was born & lived in San Mateo. We would go into San Francisco & go to the Union square Blum’s & then shopping at I Magnin. You could walk right into Magnins from Blum’s. One of my very favorite memories is my dad & I went into I Magnin & he bought me a ring watch & then we went in for lunch at Blum’s. We always got to take a special sweet home wrapped up in the pink box. A couple years ago I bought a Blum’s menu on eBay. I have it in my kitchen so I can keep those wonderful memories alive…oh what I would do for a piece of coffee crunch cake!🩷🖤
Claire’s crunch cake
San Mateo
Thanks for the history of my favorite childhood spot go go after shopping with mom all day in the city.
I am searching for the Blum’s blueberry muffin recipe…My wife, born and raised in SF, remember the days her mother used to take her once a week..It’s her 70th birthday and I want to make them for her. Any idea where to find it? THKS
Hope a reader can help you. I have looked around but found nothing.
Legend has it that once upon a time famous artist and hostess Nikki Haskell, was walking home from beverly hills High and notice Marilyn Monroe signing autographs in front of Romanoffs, when she reached Blums, she walked in with he color sketch book from Art class and began showing then selling each one with her autograph for $100.00, then over to Jax for five pants and dresses, What a great American Woman, respected and resourceful Nikki Haskell
Thank you for the article and all the wonderful comments. I, too, loved the crunch cakes. And, weird for a young child in the 50s, I thought the scrambled eggs were the best I had ever eaten!
0nce upon a time a lovely teenager named Nikki Haskell walked home from Beverly Hills High School after seeing a famous actress in front of Romanoffs signing autographs. Passing Blums she decided to step in with her Art book and began signing them for $100 each. Legend has it the she bought three new Dresses at JAX that day
My husband is the son of Robert T Beattie, president of Blum’s Inc from 1954 (I think) when John Levy made Robert Beattie the president to 1963 when Blum’s was sold to Uncle John’s Restaurants. I am working on the family scrapbook with the newspaper clippings saved by my husband’s mom. One was a photo of Shirley Temple, child actor (Mrs Charles Black) cutting into a 9 tier cake celebrating the opening of the Blum’s at the Stanford Shopping Center 1956. Such an interesting history lesson. I grew up in Seattle, WA and never knew about Blum’s until hearing about it from my husband and his family. And now thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I’m printing them to put in the scrapbook.
I was very close to Mr. Beattie. His last wife was my godmother. They brought a lot of joy to my life and I’m thrilled to read this.
I went to a Sweet 16 party scavenger hunt which took us all over Manhattan finding clues. The last clue was found at Blums where we had ice cream treats. Now it is hard to imagine girls in their mid teens running all over Manhattan finding clues in stores and bookshops.
Too bad, because it sounds like fun!
I spoke to the owner years ago. Perhaps 1976-79. He said he was opening in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. He wasn’t optimistic about its success.
In the 1970s the mother of some childhood friends took us to where she had recalled a Blum’s restaurant having been,but it had been closed and the space taken over by Reuben’s (which apparently was at 6 East 58th Street).
Distinct from the Bloom’s that I went to decades later.
My grandfather was the recipe man for Blums.
How very cool. Was he in my hometown San Francisco? There used to be a Blums at Union Square. If I could go back in time, that’s the only place I would spend eternity.
That’s fantastic! Do you still have any of those recipes in your family files? You’d be doing the Blum’s fan club a huge favor by publishing them.
In about 1965 I worked at Continental Bank in Beverly Hills, next door to Blum’s. Every morning I enjoyed their incredible bran muffins that were dotted with pineapple chunks. The very best. We often had their take-out lunches for meetings.
I grew up in Beverly Hills. It was a treat to be able to walk to the Blum’s on the southeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and South Beverly Drive. The picture of it, however, is not correct.
In 1969, when I was an intern for a California State Senator, I’d have lunch at the Blum’s in Sacramento, which goes unmentioned in the article.
Thanks for filling in a blank. Can you identify the actual location of the image?
Back on 2/17/22, I identified that image as likely being the first Beverly Hills location on Camden Dr.
I loved the Almondette Sundae!!!
ME TOO!!! I still dream of it, alas….
Me too!!! We would go to the one in Carmel-by-the-Sea which was pink and white with those french wire chairs and tables . . .
Yes! The Almondette sundae was amazing, as were their Almondette Divine wrapped candies. The wrapped candies consisted of an almond surrounded by a caramel that resembled, at least, the caramel sauce from the Almondette sundae. I also had a more idiosyncratic favorite from their menu — their minced olive and nut sandwich.
As a teenager in the 1950’s we went to Blum’s on Polk St after a date. My favorite was the Almondette Sundae. The sundae was served in a bowl shaped glass with a little pitcher of extra sauce on the side.
I have such special memories of Blums ( and the stores at Union Square!) My aunt, cousin and my cousins friend would come over from Fresno and they would take me to S.F. shopping for the day at Union Square ( I lived in the Bay Area.). This was in the 60’s! The stores were so elegant and we always had a Sundae at Blums with the Almondettes. What a treat. Sure miss the good ‘ole days!!!
This posting was fabulous, it took me down memory lane. I worked at the Telephone Company (PT&T) for over ten years on New Montgomery and Market St. I would walk through the Sheraton Palace Hotel and stop next door at Blum’s sit at their counter and enjoy the Coffee Crunch Cake, it was a weekly treat, such delicious memories. Thanks for posting this article.
In the late 1970’s I contacted them and learned that they were opening in Harrisburg Pa. I was in Ca., at the time, and by the time I returned to Pa they closed up. The San francisco store was lovely.
My Mother would buy Blum candies at the Beverly Hills location on Wilshire Blvd. I loved going in there with her. My favorites were the chocolate brandy. They came in pink wrappers and so delicious! She let me have them even though I was only 7 or 8 years old! Wish they still made them. Later on in years a local liquor store in Camarillo California sold them!!!
We had a few of the pink tins at home which my mom kept around. I though the graphics were a bit nightmarish – my kid brain trying to imagine real people walking around with those proportions!
In Portland, I bought chocolate-covered licorice caramels. Surprisingly delicious! Miss them.
Great historical article, thanks. My mom and dad had the flower shop on Polk in the Blum’s building for almost 20 years until the fire. I can remember many trips to the counter for a chocolate coke or getting the awesome custard pastries. And the pink outfits! Next door was the liquor store where as a kid I would buy my moms Raleigh plain cigs for 25 cents, and if we were lucky, Hombre Montana the wrestler would be hanging out.
Many memories growing up there. Another great bakery was Hokamps, they made this cinnamon apple crisp pastry that was off the hook good!
Obviously we had our fill of sweets on Polk.
Aloha from Kaua’i!! I grew up and live in Hawaii and all of a sudden got a craving for Blums Almondettes! I’ve never been to San Francisco but I remember loving how yummy, gooey, chewy and crunchy those dark caramel candies were in the pink cherub tin! It took all my little kid self control not to eat all of my sisters stash! So I googled it and I’m so disappointed that I can’t get them anymore! T_T Now it will forever be a cherished memory that reminds me of my sister!
Mahalo!
JeniLove
I found a picture of the can here in Pinterest! Hope the link goes through!
Attractive can!
See’s Candies has Almond Royals which are pretty much the same thing. Fantastic!
Excellent coverage. I learned things I was not aware of. –
Chris Blum ( great grandson of Simon Blum )
My parents had a flower shop in the same building on Polk street and as kids we would get a pot of coffee there every morning and some of the waitresses would give us candy and ice cream. I miss those days.
I used to work at Blum’s in the early 60s at Union Square. What I remember most about the pastries were the rum babas with real rum. The sundaes were great. The coffeeista one had coffee ice cream with hot fudge topping.
Our uniforms were Disneyland like. They comprised 4 pieces. There was a peter pan collar blouse worn under a pink-striped pinafore dress make of seersucker. We had a round apron surrounded with ruffles and that added bonus of a flat-round head piece made of chiffon with a large rose on top and a pink velvet ribbon hanging in the back.
I wish someone had a picture of it because it’s still imprinted in my memory.
Sally Moore Goldman
Finding your post made me smile. I too am looking for pictures of the S.F. Union Square. It was definitely the prettiest of the stores. You were a part of that place, a living confection. I have kept it in my heart and memory for 50+ years. If I could travel time, Blum’s is the only place I’d return to. Thanks for posting.
Did you by chance know my mother, she worked there as well. Ana Szeider, she had quite an Argentine accent.
I’m sorry I don’t remember Ana. However I do remember a woman who the register who may have been Ana. If you have more stories of Blum’s I would love to hear them.
Thanks for sharing this. The picture attributable to the Wilshire Blvd. & Beverly Drive location, is actually their first location in Beverly Hills – in the 300 block of North Camden Drive. The Camden Drive location had tree branches adorning the the walls, behind the banquettes, to which were attached individually-wrapped Blum’s candies – for the “picking”. A real thrill for kids – of which I was one, at the time.
I first went to Blum’s in San Francisco in 1969. It was near Union Square. It was furnished in turn of the century style with Vienna chairs cover in red velvet. The soda fountain counter had a glass mirror. The hot fudge sundae was served in a beautiful glass goblet. Does anyone have pictures of the interior? I miss it so much, I need to see it again. I heard after leaving SF they opened a shop in Harrisburg Pa. In fact I spoke with them. They didn’t expect to have success. Please anyone with pictures, share.
If you are taking requests for other sacred stand-bys, Miz Brown’s on Lombard–another late night place which served hot apple pie with cinnamon sauce, a slice of cheddar cheese, and a cup of coffee before hitting the road back to Santa Rosa. Also, there have been several things written about Magic Pan and Paprikas Fono, but you might have some new insights about two more restaurants that I still miss.
Also at Polk and pine st.
Thank you for the recollections and connecting the dots. Shortly after moving to Santa Rosa in 1959, Blum’s was recommended as an after-movie repast. Hot Fudge Sundae? As an 8-year old kid my only point of reference of a sundae was a scoop of Meadow Gold ice cream and Hershey’s chocolate syrup. But …. friends suggested it. Things were never the same again and there has never been an equal to Blum’s Hot Fudge Sundaes. Another dessert, C’est si bon, wickedly indulgent. Special requests? an Orange Sherbet float. Sandwiches? a pate made of cottage cheese, cream cheese, walnuts, and black olives on their incomparable nut bread (a version of which I still attempt to make). There was also a crusty, no-nonsense, career waitress who brought fiber to the establishment, flaming red hair, who introduced us to (of all things) — space shoes. She described them to us as she was on the fly but said she couldn’t have kept working without them. Even at $150.00 a pair (1960s dollars). I often wondered what became of her and the shoes. But the Blum’s saga was an ignominious end to such an integral part of San Francisco.
Love the article on Blums. Brought me such heart loving memories. We lived about 75 miles from San Francisco and every pre Christmas my mom would take my two older sisters and I shopping at Macy’s in Union Square. My sisters were 15 (twins) and I was 9. Mom gave me $5.00 and I went shopping for gifts, alone! After we all met up we’d go to Blums and I’d get a bowl of delicious soup so I could then get a very large hot fudge sundae. It was always the best day and I looked forward to Blums every year! The article was so interesting as I never knew the ups and downs of Blums but it made me a bit sad. It really was a wonderful childhood memory and I loved hearing about Blums! Thank you!! Lora
Wonderful article…My Gram used to take me to Blum’s located in Town & Country plaza in SJ when I was very young. Really a magical place! Food and treats were off the charts. Loved The Nut Tree, as well. Miss them both.
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I remember the Stonestown strip mall (although not the Blum’s in it). It was near San Francisco State U., where I got my master’s degree. The Blum’s I recall was at Union Square. Elegant! Patricia Murphy’s in Deerfield Beach, FL, also tried that tactic of setting up “men’s hours” for a while (with telephones on bar tables for conducting business) but it couldn’t “purge” its image of catering mostly to women. What a sad commentary on gender bias. Thanks for this!
Marcia, I didn’t know that about Patricia Murphy’s — thanks! It is indeed sad (and maddening) to realize how men desperately shun/ned anything “tainted” with femininity.
I wonder if you knew about the continuation of Blum’s coffee crunch cake in San Francisco at Yasukochi Sweet Shop in Japantown. I never got to taste a Blum’s original, but this version remains a favorite with longtime SF families (and others, like me).
https://sf.eater.com/2020/5/21/21266681/hatsy-yasukochi-sweet-stop-bakery-owner-obituary-coronavirus
The coffee crunch cake may be ordered at Lotta’s Bakery on Polk. I visited the Blum’s at the Fairmont in the ’70s and remember the Blum’s on Polk before it burned down.
OMG I love your newsletter but this post is a home run of epic proportions! i grew up in Pasadena,CA and my family vacationed in San Francisco every year. I had many happy episodes at a Blum’s candy store in my youth. Thanks for triggering so many stellar memories!