Eli Ziplinsky was a Hungarian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1920. He sold sweets from a pushcart in New York City before moving to New Haven, Connecticut, where he founded Zip's Candies in 1924.

Eli opened his candy factory, inventing much of the machinery he needed, in order to manufacture three confections: Little Sammies, Tigermelts, and Mumbo Jumbos. He was inspired to create these beloved candy treats when he read a traditional children's book as a way to improve his English.

Little Sammies, Tigermelts, and Mumbo Jumbos have been cherished by generations of young and old alike, and they are still made according to Eli's original recipes in the same Zip's Candies factory. With the fourth generation of the Ziplinsky family continuing to preserve the Zip's Candies tradition while also developing exciting new products, Zip's Candies looks toward a bright future as one of the most enduring independently owned candy manufacturers on the East Coast, producing its popular candies with the wonderful dedication and efforts of all its valued employees as well as the support of its fine broker network.