By Marijo Rogers
When most early pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, they came with shovels, hammers and tools with which to build a new life.
When William Daw Startup arrived, he came with his father”s candy molds and recipes in hand.
More than 170 years later Jon Startup goes to work at the Historic Startup Candy Factory with the same recipes.
Startup is William Daw”s great-grandson. He and his family, and a few outside employees, continue to keep the candy legacy alive.
Startup”s great-grandfather opened shop in Salt Lake City, but moved to Provo in 1874 where the family owned a store at 230 W. Center St.
More than a hundred years ago, the factory moved to its present address at 534 S. 100 West. Despite the move, the regular customers have remained faithful, Startup said. He recognizes however, that their numbers are decreasing.
“The older generation that grew up with us is passing away,” he said.
Startup deliberately avoids copious advertising because he likes to know all his customers personally and spend time with his family.
“The product itself does good advertising,” he said. “If we can get people to try our product then they become our customer.”
Judging by local candy enthusiasts” response, Startup”s form of advertising is working.
“It”s different from any chocolate I”ve ever had before,” said first-time candy taster Natalie Woolf. “It”s lighter and creamier.”
While the business is family owned and operated, Startup has a few outside employees that assist him.
Diana Lierman, 20, a sophomore studying International Studies from Colton, Ore., came to Provo hoping to find employment in the candy business. Since her grandma is a candy maker, she started searching for local candy stores to offer her services. She found Startup.
Lierman said instead of mass-producing the product with big machines, Startup Candy makes it in smaller batches by hand.
“Their stuff just tastes better,” she said.
Startup said that with today”s technology, anyone can make good candy, but it”s up to the candy maker to produce a superior product.
Startup said he plans to open a candy museum where people can learn about the history of candy making.
During the summer, the factory is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 pm.
