Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BETTY JANE HOMEMADE CANDIES
BETTY JANE HOMEMADE CANDIES. The only home-based candy store in the Dubuque area, Betty Jane Homemade Candies began as a sole proprietorship by its founder, Peter J. KLOSTON, a Greek immigrant. The 1939 through 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed the address as 965 Main.
In 1945, Peter's eldest daughter, Ruth, married John W. HEINZ, who, at the invitation of Peter Kloston, began to learn the candy trade. He became a partner in 1953. When Kloston died in 1967, the partnership at Betty Jane Candies was shared by John W. and Ruth Heinz.
In December 1972, a second location was established at KENNEDY MALL. A third location was opened in CyCare Plaza (see DUBUQUE BUILDING). By 1981 Betty Jane Candies became a corporation with three shareholders, John and Ruth Heinz and their son, John P. Heinz. In August 1989, the Kennedy Mall store was relocated to a larger site within the shopping center. The store by CyCare Plaza was relocated to WARREN PLAZA. Following the death of John W. Heinz and the retirement of Ruth Heinz in 1992, John P. Heinz remained the single shareholder of the company. In 1997,the board of directors, all of whom worked full-time in the company were John P. Heinz, President; Gail M. Heinz (sister), first vice-president; and Linnae E. Heinz (sister), secretary-treasurer.
Betty Jane Candies produced a complete line of homemade chocolates with the "Gremlin," its trademark piece, as the single top seller. Along with homemade chocolates, the company also manufactured specialty items sold at certain times of the year. Most noteworthy of these were decorated chocolate Easter eggs filled with assorted chocolates and individually personalized and gift-boxed. The company also sold, but did not manufacture, a variety of hard candies, panned candies, foiled chocolate novelties, and salted nuts. A wide selection of decorative tins were also available specially packed with Betty Jane candies.
The company employed between twenty-five and forty-five workers throughout the year. In addition to its daily retail operations, the company sold wholesale to a number of gift shops in the tri-state area and provided a complete mailing service anywhere in the continental United States. Customer mailing which substantially increased revenue gained from direct mail.
The 1987 through 1989 Dubuque City Directory listed Betty Jane Home Made Candies Inc. at 965 Main, Betty Jane Candy Shop at KENNEDY MALL, and Betty Jane Candies at 180 Cycare Plaza.
Peter Kloston was also skilled in the making of ice cream. His recipes were demonstrated to the public in 1996 with the opening of the store at the intersection of Judson Road and Asbury Road which sold between seventy-five to eighty flavors of ice cream including seasonal favorites and candy. The location became the sole production site of the company. In 1997 Betty Jane Homemade Candies Inc. was one of ten Iowa companies honored with the Benchmark, the Iowa Excellence in Business Award, from the Iowa Secretary of State.
On July 1, 2011, the company was purchased by the Siegert family. Andrew Siegert was the president.
The year 2013 held many honors for the company. It was selected for inclusion in the News and Documentary Emmy Awards gift bags and was chosen by People magazine as the top culinary gift producer in the state of Iowa. (1)
The rapid growth of the company led on July 28, 2021 to the announcement that the company's "flagship retail location" would move to 1785 John F. Kennedy Road, the former home of IHOP which closed in January. (2) The store opened for business on February 16, 2022. The new location offered nearly three times the retail space and more parking and indoor seating. (3)
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Source:
1. Parks, Bryce. "A Tale of Two Chocolates," 365ink Magazine, January 30-February 12, 2014, p. 28
2. Montgomery, Jeff, "New Home in Store for Betty Jane," Telegraph Herald, July 28, 2021, p. 1A
3. Kelsey, Elizabeth, "Betty Jane Candies Opens New JFK Site," Telegraph Herald, February 17, 2022, p. 1A