Whether you’re a child or an adult, a trip to a candy store is always such a treat…literally! With rows, aisles, and display cases just filled to the brim with candy, chocolate, fudge, and saltwater taffy (among other sugary treats), candy stores have a way of bringing out the kid in us no matter what the age. In a state with as much history as Massachusetts, it may be unsurprising that the oldest candy company in the country is here, right in the heart of Salem.
Since 1806, Ye Olde Pepper Companie has been creating handmade confections and is the oldest candy company in America. Its origins began with an English woman named Mrs. Spencer who was shipwrecked in Salem. To make ends meet, Mrs. Spencer started making candy, creating the first commercially produced candy called the “Salem Gibraltar.”
Ye Olde Pepper Companie Salem MA/Facebook
She initially sold her candies on the steps of the First Church. As demand for the sweet treats grew, Mrs. Spencer decided to purchase a horse and wagon. Her son took over the business upon her death but sold it to a George W. Pepper in 1830.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie Salem MA/Facebook
At the turn of the 20th century, George Burkinshaw, who had worked for Mr. Pepper since he was a boy, purchased the candy company along with all of the original recipes.
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Today it is owned by the fourth generation of candy makers who keep the tradition of old-fashioned candy making alive.
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Upon visiting Ye Olde Pepper Companie, you’ll be greeted with an assortment of delightful treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie Salem MA/Facebook
You’ll have your choice of chocolates, old-fashioned candies using original recipes, fudge, saltwater taffy, caramel corn, and a whole lot more.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie Salem MA/Facebook
Within its wide array of candies, Ye Olde Pepper Companie sells the same type of candy it had started with back in its early days. In the 19th century, Black Jacks and Salem Gibratlars were the most popular candies.
Bryson C/TripAdvisor A Black Jack is an old-fashioned stick candy made with molasses. A Salem Gibraltar is a hard candy sold in peppermint and lemon and is the first commercially-made candy in America.
Visit just about any time of year and you’ll find seasonal candies alongside the treats made year-round. There’s something truly special about Ye Olde Pepper Companie, a must-visit candy store in Massachusetts!
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Ye Olde Pepper Companie Salem MA/Facebook
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A Black Jack is an old-fashioned stick candy made with molasses. A Salem Gibraltar is a hard candy sold in peppermint and lemon and is the first commercially-made candy in America.
Have you satisfied your sweet tooth with a trip to the oldest candy company in America? If you’ve been to Ye Olde Pepper Companie in Salem, what treats did you try? Let your fellow readers know in the comments!
To learn more about Ye Olde Pepper Companie, visit the official website and follow the Facebook page for updates.
Do you love chocolate? Indulge your chocolate cravings along our sweet road trip in Massachusetts that will take you to 10 old-school chocolate shops.
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Address: 122 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
