Ye Olde Pepper Companie

Specialties

Ye Olde Pepper Companie specializes not only in old fashioned confections such as the historical Gibralters and Black Jacks, but also in creating a complete line of chocolates and other modern candies to satisfy the present-​day palate. By using only the freshest ingredients, we offer a superior-​quality line of chocolates (our turtles have been featured in ‘O’ Magazine), hard candies, gourmet salt water taffy, fudge and much, much more. New recipes are always being produced, and old ones re-​introduced such as our Vinegar Toffee.

History

Established in 1806.

The history of the company begins in 1806 when Mrs. Mary Spencer, on her voyage from London to Boston, was shipwrecked and brought to Salem, Massachusetts. Mrs. Spencer and her son made their home on Buffum Street and when her neighbors learned that Mrs. Spencer knew how to make candy they all got together and purchased for her a barrel of sugar. Little did they know that this single act of kindness would produce the «Salem Gibralter,» said to be the first candy made and sold commercially in America and carried around the world by sea captains and their crew. When Mrs. Spencer died her son decided to return to England. The company was then sold to a John William Pepper, under whose leadership the company prospered for many years. Around the turn of the century the Burkinshaw family purchased the business from Mr. Pepper and they are now in the 4^th generation of ownership.