C.K. (Chet) Enstrom
The story of Enstrom Candies begins with a hobby and a man named Chet.
Back in 1919, Chester K. “Chet” Enstrom got his start in the candy business when he went to work in the ice cream shop at Barthel’s Confectionery in Colorado Springs, CO. When his shift ended, Enstrom often helped out in the adjacent candy factory, and the 17-year old quietly began learning the candy maker’s art.
In 1929, Chet and his new bride Vernie, packed up their Model T and drove the rut-filled roads to Grand Junction to begin a new life. There Chet and Harry Jones launched the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Company, a business he pursued for the next 30 years. Meanwhile, Chet also pursued his favorite hobby: handcrafting various confections. His specialty was almond toffee, and he experimented at night and on weekends, brewing up small batches of this hard-to-make treat as a gift for family and friends. By 1960, his almond toffee had begun to develop a reputation and, at the urging of those early gift recipients, Chet founded Enstrom Candies.
Chet and Vernie planned to make their new “Candy Kitchen” a mom and pop operation, but the orders flooded in. By 1965 Enstrom’s was shipping almond toffee worldwide and Chet sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Emil and Mary Enstrom.
Under the direction of Emil and Mary, Enstrom Candies thrived. By 1979 the demand for Enstrom’s toffee had reached new heights and Chet’s granddaughter, Jamee and her husband Doug Simons, joined the company.
Today, Enstrom Candies remains a family business. Jamee and Doug oversee the operation of the “Candy Kitchen” in Grand Junction, where every batch of almond toffee is still made by hand. Chet’s grandson, Rick and his wife, Linda, manage the Denver retail shops.
In addition to their World Famous Almond Toffee, Enstrom’s also makes a full line of premium chocolates, truffles, toffee popcorn, ice cream and other fine confections. Each batch of Enstrom’s confections is carefully crafted to ensure the highest quality and freshest taste. This third generation of confectioners still operates with the philosophy begun by Chet over 75 years ago: that they’re just making a little toffee for a few of their friends.
Source: http://www.enstrom.com/content_files/enstrom_company_profile.pdf
Back in 1919, Chester K. “Chet” Enstrom got his start in the candy business when he went to work in the ice cream shop at Barthel’s Confectionery in Colorado Springs, CO. When his shift ended, Enstrom often helped out in the adjacent candy factory, and the 17-year old quietly began learning the candy maker’s art.
In 1929, Chet and his new bride Vernie, packed up their Model T and drove the rut-filled roads to Grand Junction to begin a new life. There Chet and Harry Jones launched the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Company, a business he pursued for the next 30 years. Meanwhile, Chet also pursued his favorite hobby: handcrafting various confections. His specialty was almond toffee, and he experimented at night and on weekends, brewing up small batches of this hard-to-make treat as a gift for family and friends. By 1960, his almond toffee had begun to develop a reputation and, at the urging of those early gift recipients, Chet founded Enstrom Candies.
Chet and Vernie planned to make their new “Candy Kitchen” a mom and pop operation, but the orders flooded in. By 1965 Enstrom’s was shipping almond toffee worldwide and Chet sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Emil and Mary Enstrom.
Under the direction of Emil and Mary, Enstrom Candies thrived. By 1979 the demand for Enstrom’s toffee had reached new heights and Chet’s granddaughter, Jamee and her husband Doug Simons, joined the company.
Today, Enstrom Candies remains a family business. Jamee and Doug oversee the operation of the “Candy Kitchen” in Grand Junction, where every batch of almond toffee is still made by hand. Chet’s grandson, Rick and his wife, Linda, manage the Denver retail shops.
In addition to their World Famous Almond Toffee, Enstrom’s also makes a full line of premium chocolates, truffles, toffee popcorn, ice cream and other fine confections. Each batch of Enstrom’s confections is carefully crafted to ensure the highest quality and freshest taste. This third generation of confectioners still operates with the philosophy begun by Chet over 75 years ago: that they’re just making a little toffee for a few of their friends.
Source: http://www.enstrom.com/content_files/enstrom_company_profile.pdf
