Kinda Interesting Things #119: The Strange Story of Dell’s Maraschino Cherries (TW: S*icide) Maraschino cherries are bright red cherries that’s often found in desserts and cocktails. One of the most well known manufacturers in the US is Dell’s Maraschino Cherries — located in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Founded in 1948, Dell’s Maraschino Cherries was a family business — started by Arthur Mondella, Sr. and his son Ralph Mondella. In 1983, the business was taken over by Ralph’s son, Arthur Mondella, who turned it into a juggernaut, processing a billion cherries a year. But he was also running an underground business that would be exposed by bees producing red honey in the neighborhood. This would lead to Arthur’s downfall. This is the story of bright red cherries, bees, and the tragedy of Arthur Mondella. Sources: “The Maraschino Mogul's Secret Life” (New Yorker, 2018) “The Fall of the Cherry King” (New York Times, 2015) “Brooklyn Cherry Business to Plead Guilty Over Pollution and Marijuana” (New York Times, 2015) “The Mystery of the Red Bees of Red Hook” (New York Times, 2010) “Bees and their honey turn a strange shade of red from Brooklyn maraschino cherry factory” (New York Daily News, 2010) #brooklyn #nyc #bees #cherries #honey #nychistory #brooklynhistory #truecrime #weirdnews #weirdhistory #didyouknow #learnontiktok #crazystorytime #kindainterestingthings #fyi