Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Written by Glen Hughes on July 15th, 2008 3 Comments
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
122 Derby Street
978.745.2744
Much of the information regarding Salem shops here on TheSalemInsider.com has to do with new businesses in town or changes happening, today we’re jumping in the way back machine and telling you about a fantastic little gem that started 202 years ago and is still going strong today.
A long long time ago (1806) in a town much like this one (actually exactly like this one because, it was this one) a woman from England along with her son were found shipwrecked. With nothing but the generosity from her new neighbors and her candy making recipes this woman started a business. Mrs. Spencer went on to produce the “Salem Gibralter,” said to be the first candy made and sold commercially in America and carried around the world by sea captains and their crew. The company was sold to John William Pepper (for whom it is now named) in 1830 and eventually an employee of Pepper’s purchased the business in the late 1800’s and it has remained in his family ever since.
Today Ye Olde Pepper Companie located across from the House of Seven Gables, still sells some of the same candies it made hundreds of years ago. They even have a jar of candy that was made 175 years ago in their shop and no you can’t try any of it, I asked.
In addition to some olde favorites you can also get a great selection of jelly beans, fudge, chocolates and sugar-free candies for diabetics.
Like any good candy shop worth its weight in errr sugar… you can watch some candies being made right there on premises. Locals, if you’re looking for a great gift or just interested in feeding your sweet tooth head over during the week to avoid the crowds. Tourists, don’t miss this quaint shop when you come to Salem. It really is a sweet surprise.
Meagan and I stopped by here for the first time last week. It was a really neat little candy shop, and we were amazed at how long it had been around. We got some of their Black Jack molasses sticks which are really good. And I tried some kind of apple-flavored honey stick thing, which was also pretty good.
Definitely one of the more historically interesting food places we’ve been to so far.
I’ve lived here a few years now and only just recently stopped in this shop.I can’t believe I waited so long! Such a cool little place! Deciding what to buy is NOT an easy task, though. Glad to see this post and giving it some well deserved attention.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your candies. I came to your shop while on vacation with my sister, she suggested our visit. I have never forgotten how impressed I was ! I’m sure with the love people have for sweets, your shop will last forever:) I don’t know if you do or not but, if you have a catalog for orders I would love one. I live In Michigan, and though there are some fine candy companys here, none compare to yours.
Sincerly,
Tammy Underwood