Mary Jane (candy) facts for kids
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Mary Jane candies
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| Type | Candy |
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| Owner | Atkinson Candy Company |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1914 |
| Markets | North America |
| Previous owners |
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Mary Jane is a classic candy that has been around for over 100 years! It's a chewy, taffy-like treat made with two main ingredients: yummy peanut butter and sweet molasses. This candy first appeared in 1914 and has been a favorite for generations.
Contents
The Sweet Story of Mary Jane Candy
How Mary Jane Candy Began
In the 1800s, molasses was a very popular ingredient for making candies, especially chewy taffy. Many candy companies were located near Boston, Massachusetts. This was because Boston was a big port where molasses arrived by ship.
One of these candy makers was Charles N. Miller. In 1914, he created a new kind of taffy. He mixed peanut butter into the molasses. This made the candy much softer than other taffies.
Naming the Candy and Its Look
Miller decided to name his new candy "Mary Jane." He said it was the name of his favorite aunt. He also chose a cartoon girl as the candy's mascot. This girl looked a lot like a character named Mary Jane from a popular comic strip called Buster Brown.
Mary Jane candies were wrapped in bright yellow wax paper. Each wrapper had a single red stripe. They were first sold as "penny candies," meaning they cost just one cent! Their slogan was, “Use your change for Mary Janes.” The cartoon girl logo, wearing a yellow dress and bonnet, has stayed the same since the candy was first made.
Mary Jane's Journey Through Companies
Over the years, the company that made Mary Jane candy changed hands a few times.
- In 1989, the Stark Candy Company bought Miller's company. They continued making Mary Janes.
- Then, in 2008, Necco bought Stark. This brought the candy's production back to Massachusetts.
- In 2018, Necco faced financial problems and had to sell off its candy brands. For a short time, it seemed like no one would buy Mary Jane.
- However, in 2019, the Atkinson Candy Company made a deal to produce Mary Janes. They started making the candy again in 2020. So, Mary Jane candy is still being enjoyed today!
External links
- Mary Jane brand page at Atkinson Candy Company
