Fbwashburncandy.com
Title
FB Washburn Candy, Brockton, MA - Sevigny's Thin Ribbon Candy, Old-Fashioned Hard and Filled Candy, all Kosher and gluten-free
Description
began as an offshoot of the Washburn Bakery in 1856. Frank B. Washburn started his business in a small building in Brockton, Massachusetts that today encompasses five floors and 150,000 square feet.
The most popular of the firm's many bakery items was a coconut cookie, similar to the macaroon of today. The large sales of this cookie prompted Washburn to enter the candy field. This original coconut macaroon was developed into a candy bar, the famous WALEECO COCONUT BAR. The success of this candy bar led to others, one of which was the Washburn Peanut Bar, similar to the Planter's Peanut Bar that Planter's manufactures today. FB Washburn Candy grew and eventually starch and hard candy departments were added. Washburn had now established a brand name in the New England area, and its line of old-fashioned hard candies such as Sour Balls, Peppermint Starlights, and Lollypops became household words. A Christmas specialty known as Ribbon Candy was particularly popular.
In 1933, the company started to experience some financial problems. A machinery company, Union Confectionary, was considering taking over the company, as it held a chattel mortgage on most of the equipment. One of the owners of the machinery was very friendly with Harry Gilson, who at the time was running Emerson Candy in New York. Mr. Gilson had previously been the plant manager for Hershey's Tootsie Rolls. Union Confectionary offered Harry Gilson the opportunity to take over FB Washburn Candy with the hope that he could turn the company around. During the heart of the depression in 1933, the Gilsons moved from Brooklyn to Brockton, Massachusetts.
