Idaho Candy

In this factory Idaho Candy Company produced over 50 different candy bars over the years and many varieties of boxed chocolates. Some of the bar names included: Chicken Dinner Bar, Brazil Cremes, Mint Patty, Big Chief, Quarter Section, Fox Trot and many others. Three of those candy bars are still in production: Idaho Spud Bar (1918), Old Faithful Bar (1925) and the Cherry Cocktail Bar (1926) and one new candy bar Huckleberry Gems (2012). Our factory also produces 3 varieties of Owyhee Butter Toffee (1925), available in original chunk style, bite sized and chocolate covered. We also make about 12 different kinds of tub, bag and bulk candies all in the same « modern » factory at 412 S. 8th Street in Boise, ID.

Idaho Candy Company began as a dream for T.O. Smith in his home in 1901. Mr. Smith had been a journeyman candy maker in Chicago, IL and Salt Lake City, UT before he moved to Boise, ID to help build the Dewey Palace Hotel in Nampa, ID. After finishing the hotel he found himself out of work and started making candy and selling it door to door out of shoe boxes. Not long after starting T.O. had seventeen ladies making candy in a small frame shop in the vicinity of 8th & Fort Street in Boise supplying the sweet tooths in Idaho. In 1909 Mr. Smith teamed up with the Adams family to build a modern factory at 412 South 8th Street in Boise to meet the growing needs of his customers. The new 1909 factory was touted as the most modern building in Boise at the time. The factory included sky lights and a « welfare » or break room for the employees. This is the same 23,000 sq ft factory that we make our candies in today. Some of the equipment used in the early 1900’s is still in use today.

Dave W.
Business Owner
Dave Wagers is the « Candyman » at Idaho Candy Company and is happy to operate the company for his Mom and two brothers who are part owners. Dave’s dad, John Wagers, grew up in Nampa, Idaho and bought the company in 1984, after having been a local accountant for over 20 years. He always said he had the sweetest job in town. Dave was born and raised in Boise and is active in the community having been a Rotarian for 25 years and currently serves as a Trustee on the Boise School Board.