Atkinson_Candy_Company
Atkinson Candy Company
Candy company based in Lufkin, Texas
The Atkinson Candy Company is a candy company based in Lufkin, Texas, best known for producing the Chick-O-Stick.
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (August 2023) |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Confections manufacturer |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder | B.E. Atkinson, Sr. Mabel C. Atkinson |
| Headquarters | Lufkin, , |
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 |
| Website | atkinsoncandy |
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, grandchild of the founders.[2] The third and fourth generations of the Atkinson family are now running the Atkinson Candy Company.[3]
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]
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]
- "Atkinson Candy CO". Manta Media Inc. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- "Atkinson Candy Company – Atkinson Candy Co". atkinsoncandy.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- "Atkinson Candy Co. moves toward SQF certification with new warehouse". www.candyindustry.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- Kimmerle, Beth (2003). Candy: the sweet history. Collectors Press, Inc. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-888054-83-5.
- "Hoover's Company Profiles: Atkinson Candy Company". Answers Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- "Judson-Atkinson Candies Closes Its Doors - For Now". Candy Industry. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- Danner, By Patrick. "Not so sweet times for S.A. candy maker". Mysa. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- "Atkinson Candy Co. acquires Black Cow, Slo Poke and Sophie Mae". Candy Industry. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- "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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