Laura Secord s.e.c is a Canadian chocolatier, confectionery, and ice cream company. It is owned by Jean Leclerc of Quebec City, who owns Nutriart, a company devoted to chocolate production. Nutriart is a former division of Biscuits Leclerc. History Founding The company was founded in 1913 by Frank P. O'Connor with its first store on Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario. He chose the name to honor the Canadian heroine Laura Secord. In 1813, Secord, pioneer wife and mother of seven children, made a dangerous 19-mile (30-km) journey on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of a planned American attack. Her bravery contributed to victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams. In 1919 O'Connor founded the Fanny Farmer Candy Stores in the US, appropriating the name and highly esteemed reputation of American culinary expert Fannie Farmer, who had absolutely no relationship to his company. Ownership changes In 1969, Laura Secord was sold by the O'Connor family to John Labatt Limited. In 1983 it was acquired by British-owned Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery of York, England. Its successor, Nestlé's Canadian unit, sold it in 1998 to Archibald Candy Corporation of Chicago, which then sold it to Gordon Brothers LLC of Boston in 2004. In 2004, there were 174 outlets throughout the country and a staff of 1,600. In 2010 Jean and Jacques Leclerc of Quebec purchased the company. Today , the LeClercs still own the business, which has been reduced to 100 retail outlets offering some 400 products. It has offices in Mississauga, Ontario, and Quebec City, Quebec, and offers online purchase and shipping to Canada and the U.S.. References External links Rowntree's brands Canadian chocolate companies Retail companies established in 1913 Companies based in Mississauga Ice cream brands Ice cream parlors 1913 establishments in Ontario Food and drink companies established in 1913 Confectionery stores Canadian companies established in 1913