The sugar rush was expected. The Smell-o-Vision — courtesy of an in-house 4D movie experience that transported me to the Spangler Candy Company factory floor — was an extra sweet treat! Thankfully, my blood sugar levels run low. A Dum Dum, a couple of Halloween-themed Bit-O-Honey, and an orange-flavored Lifesavers Swirled Lollipop transported me to the land of the sugar high.
Spangler Candy World is colorful, upbeat, and a blast from a childhood that seems like a distant past. Are Circus Peanuts your favorite? How about NECCO Wafers? Root Beer Dum Dums? These must be someone’s favorites, along with Sweethearts and Spangler Candy Canes, because the company has been in business for more than 100 sweet years! They are prone to acquisitions, so their offerings have been around one way or another, under varying company names.
We had the pleasure of meeting a Bryan, OH native whose father worked for Spangler when she was just a girl on the playground — a most popular girl, as you can imagine. Candy for everyone! She offered to take our picture at the Sweetheart photo station, then pulled up her own photo reel to show us a colorful, candy-inspired dress she designed and constructed from Dum Dum wrappers. Impressive!
As a girl she had special access to new treats before anyone else, from the trade shows and meetings dad attended. With her great-niece in tow, she was feeding the family’s fondness for Spangler sweets to the next generation.
I learned about how the candies are made, from the early days of human hands laboring for the good of our tastebuds to modern-day robotic automation. A visit is one-part educational and two-parts jaw dropping wizardry. With Halloween coming up fast, we might take for granted that the store shelves will be stocked with the sugary stuff. But imagine a different reality, with a candy shortage!
The 4D theater experience told the harrowing tale of Drum Man, the Spangler Dum Dum mascot, gone missing! The small town community is dedicated to finding him so he can sprinkle the candy-making process with his magic. Definitely pay the $3 ticket price to watch the theatrics, if you visit the otherwise free exhibit.
*** Spoiler Alert Below ***
Drum Man is found — crisis averted!
Spangler has remained successful, profitable, and relevant through constant evolution, repeated acquisitions, and a willingness to cut their losses when a product isn’t selling. In other words, this multi-generational family-run business has worked smarter and harder to remain afloat. Successful marketing campaigns, media partnerships, and product experimentation has paid off. Many folks are eating those NECCO wafers and circus peanuts, the root beer and bubble gum Dum Dums.
My favorite? I’ve eaten more than my fair share of Bit-O-Honey in my lifetime!
It’s 100% “user error,” but I’m 100% certain I’ve yanked out at least one dental filling with the stuff, in rather dramatic fashion. I should know better than to sink my teeth deep into the soft, tacky stuff that’s been hanging out in the pocket of my jeans. I’m smart enough (or am I?) not to chomp down on a brittle, cold piece that I’ve pulled from the glovebox.
I’d given the candy up for many years, with all of my expensive dental work, but was enticed on this visit to try again. YUM! We’d better hide the rest of the bag or there will be nothing left for Halloween because I’ve eaten every last piece! The new generation of trick-or-treaters needs to experience this!
Three pieces in I set the rest of the bag aside for Beggar’s Night. Okay, maybe I snagged a piece every time I walked past the bag, for a week or two.
We will be “The Spangler House” this Halloween, encouraging our visitors to help themselves to a handful of sweets. Hopefully everyone, parents and kids alike, find their favorite flavor in the mix.
If you’re up for an art lesson in color theory you’ll find that at Spangler too. The store features an interactive display that lets you see what a Dum Dum would look like in different color combinations. It’s as if you are in Candyland! Or imagine being on a tour of Willy Wonka’s factory, without turning into a giant blueberry or being sucked into a tube after falling into a vast river of chocolate.
Two weeks after our visit, we unexpectedly ran into another former Bryan native, hanging out at the start of an Indiana bike ride. She told us that once a worker sets foot on the Spangler factory floor they never leave, because of the amazing culture, support, and working conditions there. When they are making the Dum Dums the whole town smells of sugar and whatever flavor is being cooked up at the time. Imagine breathing in blue raspberry when you step out of your front door. Imagine bubble gum. Imagine identifying the mystery flavor.
I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the manufacture, production, and distribution of candy canes at Spangler. What a fascinating process to watch, the making of a candy cane – from pulling the candy base to spiraling in red and white stripes, from the mechanization of the production line (with a human touch) to the machine that creates the ‘hooked’ top of the cane. I can almost taste the peppermint!Memories of Christmas Eve come flooding back.
Rumor has it that I once called my whole family into the living room for the official, dazzling lighting of the Christmas tree. I served teacups of water with candy cane stir sticks. I have a fuzzy memory of this, as the story is retold time and time again. I’d have no way of knowing how many candy canes get shipped to the North Pole each Christmas, or how many Santa Clauses have handed me a peppermint Spangler candy cane.
“Get into the festive spirit with Spangler Candy’s large collection of candy canes. Whether decorating your tree, treating your customers, or sharing at holiday events, Spangler Candy has something for everyone. Available in various sizes, colors, and flavors including mini candy canes and candy canes in bulk.”
Shop Spangler website
Why Choose Spangler Candy Canes?
- Premium Quality Candy Canes: Made with high-quality ingredients for a delightful flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Wide Selection: From classic peppermint to exciting new flavors, there’s a candy cane for every taste.
- Perfect for All Occasions: Whether for decorating, crafting, gifting, or snacking our candy canes add a festive touch to any holiday moment.
- Bulk Buying Options: Save more by purchasing our candy canes in bulk. Ideal for holiday parties, corporate gifts, or stocking up for the season! (Spangler website)
The town truly rallies around Spangler’s success. When the factory thrives the town of Bryan, OH thrives. Partnerships with the city have made Spangler’s campus a centerpiece of the city. You can’t miss the water tower that is composed of 8 giant Dum Dums, including cream soda, grape, and orange flavors. The legs of the tower are painted white, to represent lollypop sticks. Such a sweet collaboration.
“BRYAN, OHIO – July 6, 2022 – Spangler Candy Company and the Bryan Board of Public Affairs (BPA) have announced they are collaborating to redesign the water tower on the northwest side of Bryan and create a landmark attraction for the community.”
Spangler and BPA Water Tower Project (website)
Of course the ‘Mystery’ flavor is featured too!
A visit to Spangler Candy World isn’t just a stop at a retail shop, though there is plenty of candy, clothing, stickers, and branded trinkets to buy. Remember, we bought our massive bag of Halloween candy there. We went with a mixed bag, but if you have a favorite flavor you can get an entire bag of just that. You can also bet there’s a jar of free Dum Dums on the counter, as you walk in. The store doubles as a museum and hot spot of fun and games for visitors and you can reserve a special space for birthday parties.
For the history buffs, you can learn all about the formation of the multi-generational company. In addition to learning about the timeline that introduced your favorite candies, you’ll discover the spirit and perseverance of four brothers who went into business together and a company that came to life 100+ years ago.
Whether it’s Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas there’s a place for Spangler candy. You’ll find Dum Dums on the counter of your child’s hairdresser, the doctor’s office, and even your tax accountant. You know, the places that need a little sweetener to get you there. The sugar provides a boost of dopamine. Being able to choose your flavor creates a sense of agency and autonomy that we need in those challenging and necessary moments. Enjoy!
Join me on my next adventure,
~ Kat
Related Links:
Spangler Candy World: https://www.spanglercandyworld.com
Bit-O-Honey: https://bitohoney.com
Spangler Candy World on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CvZCRVJdG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Spangler and BPA Water Tower Project: https://www.spanglercandycompany.com/spangler-and-bpa-water-tower-project/
Accidental Wanderlust 