Midterm: Charleston Chew Candy

Charleston Chew bar is chewy, flavored nougat wrapped in a rich, chocolaty coating have made Charleston Chew an American favorite since its launch by the Fox-Cross Candy Company in 1922.

“Named after the Charleston, a popular early-20th century dance, the bars are available in strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavors. They’re frequently enjoyed frozen, offering the classic “Charleston Chew crack” as folks love to break them into small pieces prior to eating.” (http://www.tootsie.com/products.php?pid=115) Charleston Chew joined the Tootsie family in 1993. Five years later, the brand introduced Charleston Mini Chews, single-serving boxes of bite-sized, full-flavored versions of the original vanilla Charleston Chew.

“Nathan Sloane, who manufactured the Charleston Chew candy bar at his Everett-based Fox Cross Candy Co. for 23 years, died Sunday while visiting family in Newton. He was 97. (2006)….
Though Mr. Sloane did not invent the Charleston Chew, he did change the candy's original 1922 blueprint, chocolate-covered vanilla nougat, according to Stephen Brookner, his son-in-law and longtime business partner. In the 1970s, the pair introduced such flavors as chocolate and strawberry.”(http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2006/08/16/nathan_sloane_manufactured_charleston_chew/)

“Charleston Chews were one of the earliest candy bars to capitalize on the use of the freezer in a home refrigerator. Many a Charleston Chews lover has enjoyed their treat by freezing and then smacking it on a hard surface to create many bite-sized pieces.”( http://www.oldtimecandy.com/charleston-chews.htm)

The shape of the bar has changed a bit over time but the delectable ingredients taste just as great as they did over 80 years ago. Ownership of the company has changed several times over the years. Today Charleston Chews are made by the Tootsie Company.

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. is America's favorite candy company, manufacturing and selling some of the world's most popular confectionary brands. Beginning in a modest New York candy store with the Tootsie Roll's introduction in 1896, the Chicago-based company has grown to become one of the countries largest candy companies, with operations throughout North America and with distribution channels in more than 75 countries.

Tootsie's brands include some of the most familiar candy names: Tootsie Roll, Tootsie Pop, Charms Blow Pop, Mason Dots, Andes, Sugar Daddy, Charleston Chew, Dubble Bubble, Razzles, Caramel Apple Pop, Junior Mints, Cella's Chocolate-Covered Cherries, and Nik-L-Nip. They're sold in a wide variety of venues, including supermarkets, warehouse and membership stores, vending machines, dollar stores, drug stores, and convenience stores.

“Together, the Tootsie brands resonate strongly among every age group, culture, and demographic; for every occasion and event; and during every economic climate, qualifying them as truly enduring, iconic American confections.”( http://www.tootsie.com/about.php)

Till this day I love Charleston Chews. Frozen, room temperature doesn’t matter the taste is so sweet yet just enough chocolate to satisfy your craving. I especially like the mini Charleston Chews for when I go to the movies; they are just the right size to keep me munching throughout the whole movie and be completely happy even if the movie was horrible.

How they keep doing it:
“Combining a family-run corporate culture with a progressive management style that embraces an entrepreneurial spirit, Tootsie sets the industry standard at delivering the highest quality product at the lowest possible price, a robust yet efficient operations model. It invests in the most advanced and productive equipment, integrating operations whenever possible, in a constant effort to improve productivity.”( http://www.tootsie.com/comp_who.php)