Joseph F. Fralinger (October 22, 1848 in Sweetwater, New Jersey – May 13, 1927 in Atlantic City, New Jersey) was an American businessman and confectioner, known for being the most successful merchandiser of salt water taffy.[1] The confectionary store he founded in the late 19th century in Atlantic City remains a fixture on its famous boardwalk.[2]
Fralinger was a glassblower and fish merchant before he opened a retail store on the Atlantic City boardwalk to sell his taffy. Within a year, Fralinger had added a taffy concession and spent the winter perfecting the salt water taffy formula, first using molasses, then chocolate and vanilla, eventually creating 25 flavors.