History of the Business:
Darrell Lea was founded by a man named Harry Lea who went from selling sweets from a push cart to the owner of a multi-million dollar business. The first shop opened in 1927 in Sydney's Haymarket. It was a combined milk bar and confectionery shop. In 1935 the first Darrell Lea factory was established under the northern most arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in York Street. Then Harry's two middle sons, Monty and Harris Lea opened a manufacturing operation in Melbourne with their first shop in Swanston Street in 1940. Sadly, Harry died in 1957 and then Maurice Lea, Harry's eldest son opened 5 shops in Brisbane in 1966. Darrell Lea grew from there and is still, although has changed hands, is still proudly family owned and operated.