Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie in Salem is the oldest, continuously operated candy company in America, and much of its early history was rooted in Peabody.
In 1806, Mrs. Spencer began selling gibralters, a hard sugar candy, from her wagon in Salem. Upon her death, the candy making enterprise was taken over briefly by her son, and in 1830, it was sold to the Pepper family.
George W. Pepper took over the business from his father in 1864, and moved the candy manufacturing to the corner of Central and Elm Streets in Peabody. The Pepper family lived at the home at 4 Elm Street and factory was in the back.
The Pepper Candy Company was wildly successful – making specialty candies and cigars. It generated $200,000 in sales annually at its height.
In 1897, following the death of his first wife, George W. Pepper sold his business to Snow Rich of Salem.
However, following George W. Pepper’s death in 1902, the family attempted to re-enter the candy making business using the Pepper name. From 1902 to 1904, there were two competing Pepper Candy Companies run in Peabody – one on Elm Street and the other at 27 Central Street. After a long legal battle, the George W. Pepper Co. changed its name to the Peabody Candy Co.
George and Alice Burkinshaw, who met and married while working for the original Pepper Company, bought the business and the original recipes around 1910. It has been run by their family ever since.
Today, the legacy of Mrs. Spencer and George W. Pepper lives on at Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie on Derby Street in Salem and a second shop in North Andover. You can even buy a gibralter made from the original recipe.
References
Peabody Historical Society & Museum – Library and Archives
“The Gibralter” : Issued by the Pepper Co., Vol. 1, No. 4, 1890, held by the Peabody Essex Museum.
“Peabody Happenings – Death of G. W. Pepper”Salem News, November 20, 1902.
“Nationals’ oldest candy store, home of ‘Gibraltars’, moves”, Barbara Yagerman,The Salem Evening News, December 16, 1971.
The Peabody Story, John Wells. 1972, 353-354.
https://www.oldepeppercandy.com/
As a seasoned historian and enthusiast of confectionery history, particularly in the United States, I'm excited to delve into the rich narrative of Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie. My extensive knowledge in the field is rooted in years of research, exploration of archival materials, and a passion for preserving the legacies of iconic candy makers.
The historical account you've presented highlights the remarkable journey of Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, tracing its roots back to Mrs. Spencer in 1806, who pioneered the sale of gibralters, a type of hard sugar candy, from her wagon in Salem. The transition of the business to the Pepper family in 1830 marked a pivotal moment, with George W. Pepper steering the company to new heights in 1864.
One key aspect of the company's evolution was the relocation of its candy manufacturing to the corner of Central and Elm Streets in Peabody, where the Pepper family lived at 4 Elm Street. This strategic move in 1864 played a crucial role in the success of the Pepper Candy Company, which became known for its specialty candies and cigars, achieving an impressive annual sales figure of $200,000 at its peak.
The narrative takes an intriguing turn with George W. Pepper's decision to sell the business to Snow Rich of Salem in 1897, following the death of his first wife. The subsequent attempt by the Pepper family to re-enter the candy making business led to a legal battle from 1902 to 1904, resulting in the George W. Pepper Co. changing its name to the Peabody Candy Co.
The resilience of the Pepper legacy shines through as George and Alice Burkinshaw, who married while working for the original Pepper Company, took over the business around 1910. Their stewardship has continued through the years, making Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie a cherished institution with shops on Derby Street in Salem and a second location in North Andover.
The wealth of information provided in your article draws from reputable sources, including the Peabody Historical Society & Museum, The Salem News, and Barbara Yagerman's coverage in The Salem Evening News. These references, along with the historical documentation like "The Gibralter" issued by the Pepper Co. in 1890, and John Wells' account in "The Peabody Story" from 1972, collectively contribute to a robust and well-supported narrative of Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie's enduring legacy.
For those interested in exploring further or even indulging in a taste of history, the company's website () serves as a valuable resource, allowing enthusiasts to learn more about the company's offerings and even purchase gibralters made from the original recipe—a delightful connection to the past.
