Tootsie Roll Industries

A streetscape installation celebrating the legacy of candy-making in Cambridge.

To mark renovations at their Cambridge Brands facility, Tootsie Roll Industries partnered with Adams Design to create a site-specific outdoor installation. The goal: celebrate Cambridge’s candy-making legacy through lively illustrations and engaging history, transforming an industrial streetscape into a vibrant narrative.

Client
Tootsie Roll Industries
Industry
Confectionery, Food Manufacturing
Scope of Work
Brand Strategy, Signage, Illustration

Pedestrians passing illustrated history panels about Cambridge candy-making.

Pedestrians passing illustrated history panels about Cambridge candy-making.

The Challenge

Cambridge has been home to candy-making since the early 1800s, yet little of that story was visible at street level.

Tootsie Roll Industries wanted to honor this heritage, enrich the neighborhood experience, and create an identity that connected the company’s history with its modern presence—without feeling like traditional corporate signage.

Historic black-and-white photography inside a Cambridge candy factory.

The Solution

We designed a series of illustrated story panels that reimagine a wrought-iron fence across from the Cambridge Brands building as an open-air gallery.

The installation blends archival photography, historic anecdotes, and custom illustrations by Cambridge artist Dawn Scaltreto—bringing to life the characters, moments, and craft that shaped Massachusetts’ candy industry. We felt it important to work with a local artist on the project.

Large-scale panels narrate milestones such as the rise of “Confectioner’s Row,” early storefronts, factory scenes, and the 1896 debut of the Tootsie Roll by Leo Hirshfield, inspired by his daughter “Tootsie.” Soft teal backgrounds and oversized historical typography anchor the storytelling, creating cohesion while letting the artwork shine.

Illustration of early candy vendor cart in Cambridge.

Illustrated portrait of Leo Hirshfield, creator of the Tootsie Roll.

The installation features illustrations by Cambridge artist Dawn Scaltreto, celebrating the neighborhood’s rich cultural and historical roots.

Illustration of a squirrel holding a peanut bar candy wrapper.

Illustration of Hirshfield with his daughter “Tootsie” holding Tootsie Roll branding.

A wrought iron fence across from the renovated Cambridge Brands building is reimagined as an open-air gallery, bringing visual interest to the streetscape.

Full installation view of illustrated history fence along Cambridge Brands property.

The Results

The installation transformed an ordinary streetscape into an engaging, walkable history.

This depended the community ties and celebrated a beloved local industry. The panels now serve as a neighborhood landmark, creating a warm cultural connection between Cambridge residents and Tootsie Roll’s enduring legacy.

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