Idaho Candy Company

The Idaho Candy Company began in 1901 as the dream of T.O. Smith, who initially crafted candy in his home. A skilled journeyman candy maker, Smith honed his craft in Chicago, Illinois, and Salt Lake City, Utah, before moving to Boise, Idaho, to assist with the construction of the Dewey Palace Hotel in nearby Nampa. After completing the project, he found himself unemployed and began making candy, which he sold door-to-door from shoeboxes. His efforts quickly grew, and soon he had 17 candy makers producing confections in a small frame shop near 8th and Fort Street in Boise, catering to Idaho’s growing appetite for sweets.

In 1909, Smith partnered with the Adams family to build a state-of-the-art factory at 412 South 8th Street in Boise to meet increasing customer demand. The Adams family retained ownership or part ownership of the company until 1969, when it was purchased by Don Wakeman, the son of a former plant manager. The 1909 factory was celebrated as the most modern building in Boise at the time, featuring skylights and a dedicated break room, referred to as a “welfare” room for employees. Remarkably, this 23,000-square-foot facility remains the home of Idaho Candy Company today, where some of the original equipment from the early 1900s is still in use to craft their candies.