At the heart of Idaho Candy Company’s history is the story of Violet Brewer, the company’s most famous employee, whose 82-year career as a premier hand chocolate dipper shaped their quality and charm. From her start at age 13 in 1913 to her retirement in 1995, Violet’s dedication elevated the Idaho Candy Company’s offerings into perfect chocolate gifts for holidays, birthdays, or sending a taste of home. Explore Violet’s remarkable journey and discover why these chocolate gifts are a timeless choice for sharing Idaho’s sweet heritage.
Violet Brewer: The Soul of Idaho Candy Company
Founded in 1901 by T.O. Smith in Boise, Idaho, the Idaho Candy Company has crafted chocolate gifts for over a century at its historic factory at 412 South 8th Street. While the Idaho Spud Bar, a potato-shaped treat with a cocoa-marshmallow center, dark chocolate coating, and coconut topping, became a Northwest icon since 1918, it was Violet Brewer who ensured its handcrafted excellence. Violet’s 82-year tenure, from 1913 to 1995, made her a legend, and her meticulous work as a chocolate dipper turned every chocolate gift from the Idaho Candy Company into a masterpiece.
Born around 1900, Violet joined the Idaho Candy Company at age 13 when her mother fell ill, taking on the responsibility of supporting her family. Her first job was stoking the coal furnace at the Boise factory, a demanding task for a teenager. Despite being fired twice—once for arguing with a supervisor and once for visiting a dance hall—she returned each time, her resilience earning her a permanent place. Violet’s grit and passion laid the foundation for her lifelong role in crafting chocolate gifts.
Violet’s Artistry: Crafting Chocolate Gifts for Generations
By her late teens, Violet became the Idaho Candy Company’s premier hand chocolate dipper, a role she held for 50 years. Her skilled hands shaped chocolate gifts like the Idaho Spud Bar, Old Faithful Bar, and Cherry Cocktail Bar, which are now featured in the 15 Count Variety Pack. Violet’s technique involved dipping marshmallow centers into molten chocolate with precision, ensuring each chocolate gift had a smooth, glossy finish that became a hallmark of the company’s quality.
Later, Violet transitioned to the weighing department, ensuring accurate portions for chocolate gifts like the Owyhee Butter Toffee for another 30 years until her retirement in 1995 at age 95. Her 82-year career, ending just six years before her passing in 2001 at age 101, set a record for employee longevity, making her a symbol of dedication. Violet Brewer’s craftsmanship made Idaho Candy Company’s chocolate gifts, like the 15 Count Variety Pack, unforgettable. Order from idahospud.com to share her legacy with loved ones, making every occasion sweeter.