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Atkinson Candy Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryConfections manufacturer
Founded1932
FounderB.E. Atkinson, Sr.
Mabel C. Atkinson
HeadquartersLufkin,
Texas
,
United States
Key people
Doug Hanks (COO)
Eric Atkinson (President)
Steve Ornell (VP of Sales & Marketing)
Sarah Atkinson (Marketing Manager)
Products"Chick-O-Stick"
"Coconut Long Boys"
Peanut brittle
Mint twists
"Peanut Butter Bars"
Holiday candy
Websiteatkinsoncandy.com Edit this on Wikidata
An assortment of Atkinson candies
A split Chick-O-Stick

The Atkinson Candy Company is a candy company based in Lufkin, Texas, best known for producing the Chick-O-Stick.

History

Atkinson Candy Company is a private company[1] founded in 1932 by B.E. Atkinson, Sr., and his wife, Mabel C. Atkinson.[2] It started when Basil E. Atkinson made two-day treks to Houston to purchase candy and tobacco, then he would sell it to mom-and-pop shops on the return trip.[3]

The company currently operates out of a 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) facility, and is led by Eric Atkinson, grandchildren of the founders.[2] The third and fourth generations of the Atkinson family are now running the Atkinson Candy Company.[3]

Judson-Atkinson Candies

In 1983, Atkinson purchased another local company, the Judson Candy Company, later known as Judson-Atkinson Candies, from the Pearl Brewing Company.[4][5] Judson-Atkinson was founded in 1899, and was based in San Antonio, Texas. In 2011, Judson-Atkinson shut down business due to the high prices of sugar and raw materials.[6] Judson-Atkinson Candy Company used about four million pounds of sugar each year to make their bulk candies.[7]

Product line

Atkinson Candy Company miniature Peanut Butter Bars

Atkinson Candy Company specializes in peanut butter and peppermint-flavored candies. The current product line includes the Chick-O-Stick, Coconut Long Boys, peanut brittle, mint twists, Peanut Butter Bars, and holiday candy. Atkinson also produces a premium hard candy line known as Gemstone Candies.[2][4] In 2013, Atkinson acquired the candies Black Cow, Slo Poke and Sophie Mae from The Warrell Corporation.[8] In 2019, they reached a licensing agreement with Spangler Candy Company to make the former Necco candy, Mary Janes.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Atkinson Candy CO". Manta Media Inc. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Atkinson Candy Company – Atkinson Candy Co". atkinsoncandy.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  3. ^ a b "Atkinson Candy Co. moves toward SQF certification with new warehouse". www.candyindustry.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  4. ^ a b Kimmerle, Beth (2003). Candy: the sweet history. Collectors Press, Inc. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-888054-83-5.
  5. ^ "Hoover's Company Profiles: Atkinson Candy Company". Answers Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Judson-Atkinson Candies Closes Its Doors - For Now". Candy Industry. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  7. ^ Danner, By Patrick. "Not so sweet times for S.A. candy maker". Mysa. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Atkinson Candy Co. acquires Black Cow, Slo Poke and Sophie Mae". Candy Industry. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Atkinson to produce Mary Jane candies under agreement with Spangler Candy". candyindustry.com. Candy Industry. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2020-05-31.


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