Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/410828
the company's Derby Street and North Andover locations, which boast a full array of both modern and old-timey candies. "Our two founding candies are some of our most popular," says owner Jennifer Burkinshaw, a member of the family that has owned the company for the past four generations. "Oprah also included our turtles among her Favorite Things in 2009, and the popularity of our turtles has definitely reflected that." While the company has received national acclaim, its roots remain firmly in the community where it began. Each year in both the Salem and North Andover loca- tions, the Burkinshaw family holds open 46 nshoremag.com December 2014 photographs by anthony pira candy Sweet Spots The North Shore is home to many makers of high-quality old-fashioned candy. By Charlotte Roth the north shore's oldest candy company, Ye Olde Pepper Candy Com- panie, dates all the way back to 1806, when founder Mrs. Spencer began selling their signature Gibralter candy out of a basket on the steps of Salem's Old First Church. The Gibralters, simple sugar candies with lemon or peppermint flavor, were origi- nally known for their long shelf life, which made them ideal for Salem's sailors to take Indulge ne on board their ships. The company's sec- ond popular historic candy, the Black Jack, was likely developed by confectioner John Pepper, who acquired the business after Mrs. Spencer's descendants returned to England. The Black Jack, a molasses candy, was the first American stick candy to be commercially produced. Today, the Gibralters and Black Jacks still attract visitors from far and near to Slow and Steady: Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie's truffles e sure to please all chocolate lovers.