Located in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Wilbur Chocolate Co. is a maker of fine chocolates and cocoa, which is sold to both the general public and to bakeries and food manufacturers across the United States. Originally, this company was founded as the Kendig Chocolate Company by Henrgy Oscar Wilbur in Philadelphia in the late 1800s. They moved to Lititz in 1913 and, after a series of name changes, became known as the Wilbur Chocolate Co. in 1958. Today, the company is a part of Cargill, and the owner of both Omnisweet in Canada and Peter's Chocolate, which was previously owned by Nestle.
Wilbur Chocolate Co. manufacturers a number of different chocolate products, most of which are sold to other food manufacturers and bakeries across the country. Some of their products include chocolate chunks, chocolate coatings, chocolate rods and flakes, confectionery drops, chocolate for fountains, cocoa powder, and ice cream products. They also make specialty items such as finely ground chocolate "seed,'' chocolate liquor, peanut butter melt, and sugar-free items that are sweetened with maltitol instead of traditional sugars.
Every year, Wilbur Chocolate Co. holds several popular chocolatier's workshops. These workshops help those interested in candy making learn about customer service, marketing, and other parts of running a chocolate or candy business. The workshop lasts three days, and while the first two days cover aspects of running a confectionery business, the last day is spend learning hands-on candy-making techniques. Here, chocolatiers can learn how to temper chocolate properly, as well as other chocolate-making processes that they can take back to their news businesses. These classes are taught by experts who work with Cargill year-round. Each workshop is limited to just ten participants, which means that the classes are extremely personal and give students a lot of time to talk to the instructors, ask questions, and have a personal connection to learning the craft of running a chocolate business.
Those who want to learn more about the company and the candy business can also visit the Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum, which was created in 1972. At this time, the then-president's wife, Penny Buzzard, turned her personal collection of chocolate memorabilia into a public museum, which includes antique porcelain chocolate pots from around the world, antique candy machines, and a number of other chocolate-related products. A few years later, the museum expanded to open its candy kitchen. Here, visitors can see candy, such as marshmallows, almond butter crunch, and more right before their eyes. There's also a short video about the making and history of chocolate. Although FDA rules prevent visitors from being in the operating areas of Wilbur Chocolate's working plant, this museum is a good way to see the process, and it is free to the public. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, with special hours during the holiday season.
Nearby, guests can also visit the Wilbur Chocolate Co store, where they can purchase a number of chocolate products. This store is set up like and old-fashioned candy shop, and includes a space where staff members make homemade fudge in front of visitors. The store is also open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and visitors can learn more by calling 717-626-3249.
