At times back in the day the air from Lafayette Sq along Main Street to Kendall Sq. and all the way to Lechmere station in Cambridge Ma smelled as sweet as candy. Many of the candy factories there produced some of our favorite treats, including Necco Wafers, Sugar Daddies, Charleston Chews, and Junior Mints.

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The area along Main Street became know as Confectioner’s Row because so many companies lined Main Street. The district grew rapidly—according to the Cambridge Historical Society, there were 16 confectionary manufacturers listed in Cambridge in 1910. In 1920, that number had grown to 30, and by 1946, 66 candy companies had set up shop in town. Teams of workers covered in confectionary power and chocolate stains lined the sidewalks during their break times.

The shear density of these companies produced many unmistakably delicious fragrances. From the subway station in Kendall Sq until I go to work at the Polaroid building on Main Street, I was tempted by the sweet smell of junior mints, tootsie rolls and NECCO Waffers. Try as I may, I was not able to resist a stop at the company vending machine before starting my day. If the temptation got too great I’d stop by the factory stores to buy bulk boxes of seconds (imperfect / damaged candy) at a discount price. The choices weren’t always great but you get what you get and that’s was still great.

This section of town was ahead of its time when it came to the practice of Aromatherapy. The smells of Confectionary Row may not have been holistic but the treatment of natural sugar and chocolate promoted moments of mental health to every passerby. I miss the sweet smells of Cambridge back in the day …where the air was sweet enough to eat.

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