For more than 100 years, the secrets to Gardners Candies’ sweets were just that – a secret.
But in August, officials of the candy maker opened the doors of the factory for visitors to witness first-hand what goes into making the popular treats.
Since the announcement, phones at the plant are ringing off the hook with people from all over Pennsylvania calling to schedule a tour.
“We’ve been super busy with the tours,” said Sam Phillips, president. “In fact, when we started, we only offered the tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the response has gone so well that on some occasions, we had to open the doors for Wednesday tours. We’re booked until Easter.”
Not only has the tours increased the numbers walking through the plant, but also the numbers of visitors to downtown businesses. Everyone who schedules a Gardners Candies tour will receive, by mail, a packet full of information, including directions to the factory, a parking permit that provides free parking in downtown Tyrone, a coupon worth a 20-percent discount at the Gardners store in downtown Tyrone, a walking map of Tyrone, fundraising information and more valuable coupons and gift certificates for downtown businesses.
“I think the tours has somewhat increased the volume of people shopping in the downtown,” said Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce interim Executive Director Rose Black. “We’re hoping the program will expand and other businesses will join in this effort.”
Black said most of the coupons being used are from local residents who tour the facility, but said a good number of people are from out of the area.
“We’ve had people from as far away as Denver,” said Phillips.
Despite where you are from, Black encourages everyone to take some time out of your busy schedule to visit the plant.
“The tours there are wonderful,” said Black. “They don’t hold anything back, from start to finish. It’s really a good time.”
According to Phillips, each year, hundreds of individuals and groups inquire about tours of the facility. But until August, only select groups, such as local scouts packs and friends and family, have been given tours.
The tours take about 30 minutes and include a complete walk-through of the facility – from the kitchen where the candied corn is popped and coated to the assembly line of workers stuffing gift boxes.
“We’ll offer these tours to 25 people or one person,” said Phillips. “We just want whoever is taking the tour to have fun.”
He said the tours are tailored to the individuals attending.
“It will be different for a group of twelfth graders than it would be for a group of third graders,” said Phillips. “But each tour is hands-on and interactive. It’s fun.”
He said probably the best thing about the tour is that those attending have the opportunity to talk directly with the employees who make the candy.
“This gives a chance for the visitors to actually put a face on the candy,” said Phillips.
“This is a real tour of a real working candy factory,” said Phillips, “and there are not that many left in Pennsylvania. We’re hoping with these tours, we will be providing yet another great tourist location in the central part of the state.”
He also said the tours would be a great incentive for other businesses to locate in northern Blair County.
He said the company is only advertising in the immediate area, but noted that “word of mouth” and its appearance on Gardners website has grabbed people’s attention.
Those wishing to tour the facility are asked to contact Gardners Candies at least a week in advance at 1-800-242-1639 and ask for the tour coordinator.
