[1] Luden launched a backroom candy business in 1879 in the rear of his father's jewelry shop at 35 N. 5th St. in Reading, Pennsylvania, his "factory" was his family's 30-square-foot (2.8 m2) kitchen.
An early product was "moshie," a Pennsylvania Dutch (German-American) candy made with brown sugar and molasses.
Luden introduced new packaging methods as well, lining boxes with wax paper to extend shelf life.
[3] In 1882, he moved his operations to 37 N. 5th St., and offered an extensive line, including cough drops, hard and soft candies, chocolates and marshmallow products.
[4] In 1900, he moved to still larger quarters on Eighth street beyond Walnut, where he erected a four-story brick building, expanded in 1909.