LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) — Atkinson’s Candy Company has worked to be part of family traditions for 94 years.
The company started during the Great Depression in Lufkin, where Eric Atkinson’s grandfather was told to find something to sell for a nickel.
Luckily, he was able to find it, and since then, the family business has been based in East Texas, sharing candy around the world.
“You know I’ve never, ever given a piece of candy to someone and they not get an automatic smile on their face,” Atkinson said. “It does that to people, so it kind of makes us proud that we do that.”
The company has made millions of pieces of candy over nearly a century.
“We’ve been in business for 94 years now and we’ve made millions of pieces of candy that someone ate and enjoyed, and it made them happy I already know that,” Atkinson said.
President Kevin Green said Atkinson’s Candy is the people who work there.
“Passion goes through every wall, every square inch of this facility, and passion can’t be taught, passion comes from within,” Green said. “It’s a testament and a tribute to the personnel that we have here.”
And Green said the company’s East Texas roots are essential to its identity.
“We wouldn’t be who we are if we made any other changes and moved out of the area,” he said. “So, it’s very important to us.”
Tawnya Harrell, an employee who ensures quality standards says, she loves Atkinsons and always goes above and beyond to ensure that the community gets the candy they deserve.
“We make sure we give you the best candy, for years we’ve done it and working here is a vibe,” Harrell said.
Justin Holliman, another employee, said the company’s longevity matters, and makes a huge impact on the community.
Holliman first was introduced to Atkinson Candy Co. during a field trip when he was a kid, and coming back, and being an employee for 10 years has been life changing.
“In an impermanent society nothing lasts anymore, and I think it’s important to see things last, positive things,” Holloman said.
The company said it plans to continue for decades to come. Its next project is updating its storefront.