C.K. (Chet) Enstrom
The story of Enstrom Candies begins with a hobby and a man named Chet.
In 1919, Chester K. “Chet” Enstrom got his start in the candy business while working in the ice cream shop at Barthel’s Confectionery in Colorado Springs. Enstrom also often helped in the adjacent candy factory when his shift ended. The 17-year-old quietly began learning the candy maker’s art.
In 1929, Enstrom and his bride Vernie packed their Model T and drove to Grand Junction to begin a new life. Enstrom and Harry Jones launched the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Company, which he pursued for the next 30 years. In his free time, Enstrom pursued his favorite hobby, handcrafting various confections such as almond toffee. He began brewing up small batches as gifts for family and friends.
By 1960, his creation had begun to develop a reputation. At the urging of those early recipients, Enstrom founded Enstrom Candies. Enstrom and his wife planned to make their new “Candy Kitchen” a mom-and-pop operation, but the orders flooded in. Soon, Enstrom’s was shipping worldwide, and Enstrom sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Emil and Mary Enstrom.
Under the direction of Emil and Mary, Enstrom Candies thrived. The demand for Enstrom’s toffee had reached new heights, and Enstrom's granddaughter, Jamee, and her husband Doug Simons joined the company.
Today, Enstrom Candies remains family operated. Jamee and Doug oversee the “Candy Kitchen” operation in Grand Junction, where every batch of toffee is still hand-made. Enstrom's grandson, Rick, manages the Denver retail shops.
Each batch of Enstrom’s sweets is carefully crafted to ensure the highest quality and freshest taste. This third generation of confectioners still operates with the philosophy begun by Enstrom over 75 years ago: they’re just making a little toffee for a few of their friends.
In 1919, Chester K. “Chet” Enstrom got his start in the candy business while working in the ice cream shop at Barthel’s Confectionery in Colorado Springs. Enstrom also often helped in the adjacent candy factory when his shift ended. The 17-year-old quietly began learning the candy maker’s art.
In 1929, Enstrom and his bride Vernie packed their Model T and drove to Grand Junction to begin a new life. Enstrom and Harry Jones launched the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Company, which he pursued for the next 30 years. In his free time, Enstrom pursued his favorite hobby, handcrafting various confections such as almond toffee. He began brewing up small batches as gifts for family and friends.
By 1960, his creation had begun to develop a reputation. At the urging of those early recipients, Enstrom founded Enstrom Candies. Enstrom and his wife planned to make their new “Candy Kitchen” a mom-and-pop operation, but the orders flooded in. Soon, Enstrom’s was shipping worldwide, and Enstrom sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Emil and Mary Enstrom.
Under the direction of Emil and Mary, Enstrom Candies thrived. The demand for Enstrom’s toffee had reached new heights, and Enstrom's granddaughter, Jamee, and her husband Doug Simons joined the company.
Today, Enstrom Candies remains family operated. Jamee and Doug oversee the “Candy Kitchen” operation in Grand Junction, where every batch of toffee is still hand-made. Enstrom's grandson, Rick, manages the Denver retail shops.
Each batch of Enstrom’s sweets is carefully crafted to ensure the highest quality and freshest taste. This third generation of confectioners still operates with the philosophy begun by Enstrom over 75 years ago: they’re just making a little toffee for a few of their friends.