Why People Go Crazy For This One Candy In Small Town New Hampshire
By Michelle|Published November 01, 2018
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Michelle
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Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
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It’s not every day that you can find vintage candy still being churned out the old fashioned way. But, if you’re going to find something special in America there’s a good chance it’s going to be in New Hampshire. Each year as the holidays get close, people head to this candy store in Weirs Beach where ribbon candy is still made by hand…as long as the weather cooperates!
It's not easy to find ribbon candy and it's even harder to find it being made by hand using one of the oldest machines in America.
But, head to Kellerhaus in Weirs Beach and you'll find a candy store that's still making this vintage candy by hand, delighting locals and visitors alike.
It all began when Otto G. Keller arrived for work at Phillips' candy store in Laconia. After securing his job he owned the store within a year and in the early 1920s introduced homemade ice cream. In fact, he was the first person offering the delicious summer treat year round. Refrigeration had yet to be invented and his team used ice harvested from Lake Winnipesaukee to create their chilly treat.
From 2004 to 2017 the shop was owned and run by David and Mary Ellen Dutton who reported that they created at least 1,000 boxes of ribbon candy each season. Today you'll find Daryl Dawson and Brian Head at the helm using the same beloved Keller family recipes.
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Not only are they making this specialty candy by hand, but it's being done in a machine built in 1886, which can only be used when the weather is the perfect mix of cold and dry. First, the sugar and water are boiled in this candy vacuum.
While made with just 3 ingredients - sugar, water, and seasoning oil - the process is one that must be done carefully to avoid any mistakes to the candy or the finicky machine.
In order to make this holiday treat, weather conditions must be just right so keep your fingers crossed that there are enough cold, dry days to keep the boxes coming!
Kellerhaus is located at 259 Endicott St. N. in Laconia, New Hampshire. You can visit them online here or check them out on Facebook. As the holidays get closer, you can give them a call on 603-366-4466 to check the status of this year’s ribbon candy production. They’re open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shop is closed on Tuesday.
If you’re a candy lovers, you’ve got to visit this shop in Littleton. They’ve got some of the best candy lined up on the longest candy counter in America!
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