MonopolyCity.com Logo



Atlantic City Saltwater Taffy


Saltwater Taffy was first developed on the Atlantic City Boardwalk back in the 1880's.



Fralinger's Saltwater Taffy Store

Fralinger's
Saltwater Taffy Store

Fralinger's Saltwater Taffy

Fralinger's Saltwater Taffy

James' Saltwater Taffy Store

James'
Saltwater Taffy Store

James Saltwater Taffy

James Saltwater Taffy

Saltwater Taffy


If you walk on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, you will see Saltwater Taffy stores filled with tourists buying Saltwater Taffy to take back home. This has been going on for 125 years, and saltwater taffy shows no sign of losing its attraction to visitors. This is because it is tasty! Next time you are in Atlantic City, try some.

Taffy is made by cooking, then cooling and stretching or pulling the taffy into long strands. The taffy is then cut into bite-size pieces and individually wrapped. It is usually sold in one pound boxes.

Legend has it that back in the 1880's David Bradley was mixing a batch of taffy, when it was drenched with saltwater during a storm. This taffy was discovered to have an even better and more interesting flavor. Thus "Saltwater Taffy" came into being.

The most famous names in Saltwater Taffy are Fralinger's and James'. Joseph Fralinger popularized saltwater taffy by promoting it as an Atlantic City souvenir that tourists could take back home. He was so successful that he had trouble keeping up with the demand. Fralinger's has been making saltwater taffy from Joseph's same recipe and ingredients, that includes salt and water, for over 100 years.

Enoch James had also been making taffy in the midwest. When he heard that taffy was a hot seller on the Atlantic City Boardwalk,
he opened a store there, and became a competitor of Fralinger's. Enoch James used more modern equipment, and took much of the labor out of the process. Enoch claimed his version of Saltwater Taffy was superior in that it was less sticky and smoother.

For many years both stores prospered, as both products were excellent, and there was enough business for both.

In the early 1990's James' bought out Fralinger's. There are still both Fralinger's and James' saltwater taffy stores on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Both brands are now made on the same equipment at the James' store at New York Avenue and the Boardwalk, however each is made to its own distinctive recipe.

Saltwater Taffy is now sold in many places. However, Atlantic City remains the "Saltwater Taffy Capital of the World," and the candy is still a boardwalk favorite and is still available.


To get some Fralingers Saltwater Taffy follow this link:
Fralingers Saltwater Taffy

To get some James Saltwater Taffy follow this link:
James Saltwater Taffy

Shriver's is also famous for Saltwater Taffy. They are located just one town south. Shriver's is the oldest business on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. To get some Shriver's Saltwater Taffy follow this link:
Shriver's Saltwater Taffy





See a photo of Fralingers during Atlantic City's early days below.


Fralingers Saltwater Taffy Store on the Boardwalk


Fralingers Saltwater Taffy Store on Atlantic City Boardwalk





      


Fralingers