From Small Arbat Production To The Red October Factory!

The factory was founded in 1851 by Theodore Ferdinand von Einem, a German, who had arrived a year earlier. He began by producing sawed sugar then created in the Arbat a small production of candies and chocolates. Later he opened another workshop in Teatralnaya Square with its partner, Julius Heuss, a very good businessman who helped to increase production to finally open its factory along the Moskva. Theodore Einem knew well the tastes of Muscovites. Hard-boiled sweets, candies, chocolate, pastille, cookies, biscuits, gingerbread, glazed fruits were in high demand.

In 1896, the production of “Einem Partnership” (first name of the factory) won the gold medal at the All-Russian industrial and artistic exhibition held in Nizhny Novgorod. This allowed him to put the national emblem of Russia on its packages. It would even become the official supplier of the Tsar.

In 1900, he won the “Grand Prize” for the quality of chocolate, the highest award at the World Exhibition in Paris. But after the October Revolution, the factory was nationalized, and finally named “Red October” in 1922, but production never ceased.

During the First World War, the factory continued to work. It also participated in the war effort: it made donations, organize a hospital for wounded soldiers, sent food on the front. Moreover, during these years several flagship products appeared : in 1925 «Mishka Kosolapy» (Pigeon-Toed Bear) appeared, in 1927 – «Yuzhnaya Noch» (Southern Night); in 1936 – «Stratosphere» and «Souffle». In 1920s for the first time «Slivochnaya Pomadka s Tsukatom» (Cream fondant with candied fruit), «Slivochnaya Tianuchka» (Cream toffee), «Kis-Kis» toffee appeared.

However, during the Second World War, the factory was redesigned to produce military equipment and products.

After the war, the factory developed throughout the country, and in the 60s, was modernized considerably. Since 1965, the factory produces the famous chocolate Alyonka which is still very popular.

A museum opened in 1992, containing genuine exhibits of the history of chocolate.

Today, the former industrial chocolate factory “Red October” has become the new artistic spot in the Russian capital. A young and lively cultural hub that provides an underground dimension to a district undergoing regeneration.

This post was brought to you by Ann-Sophie, currently studying Russian at Liden and Denz