History

• 1919

  The Chocolate Shop Founded

  The Chocolate Shop was founded as an Ice Cream Parlor & Soda Fountain by Harry Marack, Sr. and H. G. Reisner (Deac) in partnership.

• 1919

  Competition

  The Purdue Memorial Union opened The Sweet Shop in the basement of the Union.

• 1932

  The End of Prohibition

  Harry Sr. obtained the first One Way Permit (beer only) for a new business in West Lafayette. The business, Harry's, was located at corner of Lindberg and Salisbury.

• 1933

  The Beginning of Harry's Chocolate Shop

  Harry and Deac dissolved their partnership, making Harry the sole owner of the The Chocolate Shop on State Street.

  Harry decided he needed something to make his Soda Fountain different from the Union’s Sweet Shop, so he replaced his ice cream with beer.                                           The ‘Grandfather Clause’ allowed Harry to move his ‘One Way Permit’ from Lindberg & Salisbury Rd. location to 329 West State Street and Harry’s Chocolate Shop was born.

• 1949

  1950's

  Harry’s obtained the first ‘2 Way’ license (Beer & Wine) in West Lafayette.

• 1954

  Harry Jr Graduates

  Harry, Jr. graduated from Purdue University. He was a member of Kappa Sig Fraternity.

• 1955

  Military Service

  Harry Jr. finishes 2 years served in Germany as an ROTC 1st Lieutenant. 

• 1959

  New Partnership

  Harry Jr. and Harry Sr. formed a partnership to run Harry's Chocolate Shop.

• 1967

  3 Way Permit

  Harry’s received the first ‘3 Way Permit’ (Beer, Wine & Alcohol) in West Lafayette. Harry's had the only 3 Way Permit (Tavern) for many years in West Lafayette.

• 1970

  Harry Sr.'s Death

  Harry J. Marack, Sr. passed away and Harry J. Marack, Jr. became sole proprietor of Harry’s Chocolate Shop at 329 West State Street.

• 1976

  New Owners

  Harry J. Marack, Jr. sold Harry’s Chocolate Shop to Herschel E. Cook, II and J. Michael Murphy on September 1, 1977.

• 1984

  Herschel E. Cook, II and Mary Traylor Cook became co-owners of Harry’s Chocolate Shop upon buying out partner J. Michael Murphy.  All three graduated from Purdue University.

• 1984

  Harry Jr.'s Death

  Harry J. Marack, Jr. passed away.

• 2018

  Today

  Harry’s Chocolate Shop Celebrates 100 Years in Business. 

  Helen Posthauer Marack (widow of Harry, Jr.) lives in West Lafayette. 

  Harry, Jr.'s and Helen’s 3 children also graduated from Purdue University, Katrina, Michael and David.