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Tracy Artus has fond memories—delicious memories, actually—of visiting her mother’s side of the family in Lancaster County throughout her childhood. They always enjoyed dark chocolate, white-top non pareils from Miesse Candies—a dollop of chocolate dipped into white sprinkles. It was their tradition.
“Studies show, we link our memories to our senses and food,” Tracy explains. Now 54, Tracy did not know that one day she'd become owner of Miesse.
Tracy, who built a 20-year career in human resources, started working part-time at Miesse in 2010. The company, founded in 1875 by Daniel Miesse, was having difficulty recovering after suffering a devastating fire in 2006. Tracy bought the company in 2011 and designed business plans that have breathed new life into Miesse Candies.
She is now in a role she cherishes—keeping the tradition of one of the country’s oldest confectionary companies alive.
Miesse’s top-seller is their sea salt vanilla caramel, replacing dark vanilla butter cream as Lancaster’s favorite. Tracy’s personal favorite is cup vanilla caramel, a plain caramel created from the original 1875 recipe. Miesse makes about 175 different products ranging from sweet butter creams to hot ghost pepper chocolate using all natural—and local—ingredients, without preservatives.
“There is definitely an old-fashioned appeal,” explains Tracy. “We use original recipes, but we are also creating new products to grow and keep everybody’s taste buds happy.” One new product includes a Merlot butter cream candy made with Waltz Vineyard’s wine. Miesse creates customized candy for corporate events, weddings and bridal showers. Tracy enjoys giving back to the community by donating her time and candies to many non-profit organizations in Lancaster.
Customers can see how the hand-crafted chocolates and candies are made by calling ahead to the Water Street location. “See our candy making equipment, learn a little about how we make some of our treats and sample some of the chocolate delights. Some of our equipment dates back to the 1920s. We are actually considered a working museum,” says Tracy.
“I do eat a lot of chocolate,” Tracy admits. “Sometimes I joke around that it’s ‘quality control.’ But I try my best not to eat more than one or two pieces a day.”
Miesse Candies | 118 North Water Street | Lancaster, PA 17601 Overlook Town Center | 2065 Fruitville Pike | Lancaster, PA 17601 Lancaster Central Market | 23 North Market Street | Lancaster, PA 17603 miessecandies.com | 717-392-6011 Back to The Faces of the Susquehanna Valley