In 1920, Carl T. Hammond, Sr., opened Hammond's Candies in Denver, Colorado. Today, Hammond's Candies is still making the same delicious sweets Carl started making so long ago. Although the Hammond's family no longer owns the business, the new owners use the same methods and ingredients without using any short cuts, offering the best quality candy. The business was sold in 1997 to Robert and Linda List and Ralph Nafziger. Under the guidance of the new owners, the company has grown from five employees to 100. Despite their growth, Hammond's original goal is always in mind. The company continues to make handmade quality products, offer exceptional service, and create a pleasant working environment for all employees.

Cooks fire up the stoves at six every morning to prepare for the day's busy schedule. The employees work hard to create enough candy to send all over the United States, as well as keep their huge store completely stocked. They have an online catalog full of candies and sweets, allowing their signature treats to be availablefor everyone.

There are several candy lines that keep Hammond's Candies organized and running smoothly.

Each line is dedicated to a different candy, such as the lollipop line, the candy cane line, the ribbon candy line, and the pillow line. Candy canes and lollipops are all hand-cut with scissors. Lollipops are twisted into shape by hand, and candy canes are crooked by hand. All of the cooks are candy artisans who work under the direction of Master Candy Maker, David Camp. It takes several months to a few years for a new cook to develop into an accomplished candy maker.

The cooks aren't the only ones with important jobs. The candy packagers are just as busy. The packaging room is divided into teams. Each team works on a different project. Some packagecandy canes into cellophane tubes, some teams bag candies, and others work on the caramel line, tending a machine that individually wraps each caramel. Another team is devoted solely to chocolate production. Projects may vary depending on the time of year, but Christmas candy is made and packaged starting in January for the following Christmas due to the large demand for old-fashioned Christmas candy. Denver has a dry climate with low humidity, so hard Christmas candy can safely be stored until it begins shipping in September.

Hammond's Candies open up their doors for free factory tours every Monday through Saturday. Large lollipops and an oversized Santa decorate the building to make sure guests know where to go. At the end of the tour, guests are offered samples and can visit the Hammond's Retail Store. There, they will have the option of buying candy, Hammond's t-shirts, mugs, post cards, and other novelties—even candy flavored lip gloss. Guests usually swarm around the old 1950s Hammond's truck outside of the factory for photo opportunities.

It may sound unusual, but the favorite purchase at Hammond's is the tiger striped candy cane.

Hammond's is pleased because all of the funds from the sales of the white, black, and orange candy canes are donated to a local wildlife sanctuary.

The sanctuary shelters large cats such as tigers, leopards, and lions. They also rescue bears and wolves that have been in abusive situations or have inadequate living conditions.

There are hundreds of different candies at Hammond's ranging from candy canes to brittles and rich chocolates to lollipops. There really is something for every taste.

Current owner, Linda List says, "The most oft heard comment at Hammond's Candies is that the products remind visitors of their Grandmother. What could be better than to work in a business bringing back memories of Grandmother, candy dishes, and childhood dreams?"

Hammond's Candies is located at 5735 North Washington Street in Denver, Colorado. For more information, call 888-226-3999 or visit hammondscandies.com.