family business | Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery

Edward Dee, founder of Smarties, passes away at 95

Dee founded Smarties Candy Co. in 1949.

Alyse Thompson

November 26, 2019

Dee, a third-generation candy maker, founded Ce De Candy Inc. and began making Smarties candy rolls in 1949.

Smarties co-presidents take third-generation company into the future

Liz Dee, Sarah Dee and Jessica Dee Sawyer took over the reins in 2017.

Crystal Lindell

April 5, 2019

They have given the nearly 70-year-old family-run company a complete brand relift, updating the iconic Smarties logo.

Creo Chocolate connects with farmers, customers through chocolate

The Portland, Oregon-based bean-to-bar chocolate maker develops relationships through chocolate.

Alyse Thompson

March 19, 2019

The founders of Portland, Oregon-based Creo Chocolate focus on building relationships, both with quality-driven cocoa farmers and customers seeking a treat, a pick-me-up or a concerned listener.

Sugar Plum Chocolates built by mother-and-son team

Pennsylvania company on a mission to make the world sweeter.

February 14, 2019

Since its inception in 1995, Sugar Plum Chocolates has been a champion in the chocolate and confectionery industry, building not only a brand but a legacy.

Coover Caramels cultivates creativity

Coover Caramels founded with award-winning family recipe.

January 23, 2019

Ryan Coover never imagined he’d start as an architect, become a stay-at-home dad and then wind up as a successful candy maker — but that’s exactly what happened.

Baron Chocolatier

Postcard from Poznan: Visiting the Millano Group facilities in Poland

Family-run operation on a growth spurt, one that extends into the United States.

Bernie Pacyniak

September 30, 2015

Given my familial and cultural connections, I was thrilled to having been invited by Tomasz Kotas to see this family-run company’s manufacturing operations in Poland.

Morkes Chocolates: A third-generation candy maker works to stay competitive.

Rhonda continues to “mix” old-fashioned quality with the latest food and pop trends to sustain a family business in a competitive climate.

Bernie Pacyniak

August 15, 2014

Rhonda Dehn always had a head for figures. Thus, when asked to work Saturdays at the family’s retail candy shop in Palatine, Ill., there were no issues when it came to computing sales taxes on purchases or giving out change.

Photos by Steve Smith

Ready and Abel

Its recent move into a new 30,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing and headquarters facility better positions this St. Louis-based family business to capitalize on diversification efforts.

Bernie Pacyniak

October 1, 2012

Initially, Dan Abel didn’t envision overseeing a plant turning out 500 different types of confections and servicing nine retail shops, hundreds of wholesale accounts and several private-label and contract manufacturing agreements.

Tony’s Time

In capturing the 67th Kettle Award, self-proclaimed “shy guy” R. Anthony Sweet, chairman of the Sweet Candy Co., receives recognition for his lifelong dedication to the family business and the industry in general.

Bernie Pacyniak

August 21, 2012

R. Anthony, aka “Tony” Sweet never dreamed of being a Kettle Award recipient.