Atkinson Candy Company is a private company[1] founded in 1932 by B.E. Atkinson, Sr., and his wife, Mabel C. Atkinson.[2] It started when Basil E. Atkinson made two-day treks to Houston to purchase candy and tobacco, then he would sell it to mom-and-pop shops on the return trip.[3]
The company currently operates out of a 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) facility, and is led by Eric Atkinson, grandchild of the founders.[2] The third and fourth generations of the Atkinson family are now running the Atkinson Candy Company.[3]
Judson-Atkinson Candies
In 1983, Atkinson purchased another local company, the Judson Candy Company, later known as Judson-Atkinson Candies, from the Pearl Brewing Company.[4][5] Judson-Atkinson was founded in 1899, and was based in San Antonio, Texas. In 2011, Judson-Atkinson shut down business due to the high prices of sugar and raw materials.[6] Judson-Atkinson Candy Company used about four million pounds of sugar each year to make their bulk candies.[7]