History of Laura Secord

Laura Secord is Canada’s largest and best known chocolatier. In business since 1913, the company sells premium chocolates, ice cream and other types of candies and products at 148 company-owned stores across the country. With more than 400 products, Laura Secord still follows the time-honoured recipes and dedication to quality and excellent customer service as when the company first started. Every product sold carries an unconditional guarantee for quality.

The company was named after the Canadian heroine, Laura Ingersol Secord, who had become an icon of courage, devotion and loyalty. Laura Secord was a pioneer famous for her role in the War of 1812, fought between the British and Americans in what is now the Niagara Peninsula. Four months after war was declared between Great Britain and the United States, cannon fire began to rage around Laura’s home in Queenston, Upper Canada. Laura Secord learned of a surprise attack against the British and walked almost 32 kilometres alone behind enemy lines to warn a small British force. Thanks to her, the British stopped the invaders at a pivotal battle, and then went on to win the war.

One hundred years after Laura Secord’s brave journey, Frank P. O’Connor adopted her name when he established a small, Toronto-based candy business selling hand-made chocolates.

Laura Secord started as a single shop on Yonge Street in Toronto, with no employees. O’Connor turned the flat above the shop into a kitchen and prepared his own products. Success prompted the company’s expansion across Ontario and Quebec, and in the ’30s, an office was opened in Winnipeg, and drugstore agencies were appointed as Laura Secord outlets, or service shops.

By 1950, there were 96 shops in Ontario and Quebec, and Laura Secord candy was a well-established family tradition. Starting in the late sixties, Laura Secord underwent a series of ownership changes and is currently owned by US-based private equity investment groups, Gordon Brothers Group, LLC and EG Capital Group, as well as Montreal-based Fonds de Solidarite FTQ. © 2007 Laura Secord