Our Heritage
At Goetze's, we know that we owe a great deal of our success to our ongoing commitment to the traditions that were established by the previous generations of the family - such as integrity, loyalty and an ongoing dedication to quality. We know that it is this tie to our heritage that has helped us develop into the company we are today; a company with timeless products and loyal customers.
1st Generation
Baltimore Chewing Gum Company Acquisition
Goetze's Candy began in 1895, with a father (August Goetze) and his son (William). August worked as an engraver, producing many of the printing plates for the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company. During this time, he became aware that the gum business was performing poorly and made an offer to buy the business for his son. The rest is history!
2nd Generation
Caramel Development & Business Relocation
3rd Generation
Caramel Perfection, Initial Production Automation & Business Incorporation
Melvin Goetze, Jr. returned home in 1935, to join his father and grandfather. Five years later their passion for excellence led the family to the decision to focus on their best selling items: Caramel Creams®. During the 1940's, they perfected the treats, making them an even bigger success! In 1951, the family changed the name of the company from The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company to Goetze's Candy Company, and it was incorporated under this name eight years later. During this time, the 3rd generation of Goetzes began the process of automating the company's operations.
4th Generation
Continued Automation & Expanded Sales Distribution
Melvin, Jr.'s son, Randle Goetze, III, joined the company in 1959, and his younger brother, Spaulding Goetze, Sr., joined the company six years later. Not only did they aid in their father's efforts to automate the facility, making productions more efficient, but also expanded sales distribution, making Goetze's Candy Company a national name and eventually leading to the company's first international sale.
5th Generation
Increased Use of Technology
Spaulding's sons, Mitchell and Todd Goetze, joined the company in the early 1990's and manage current day to day operations. They have continued the efforts to improve productions and have held an integral role in the expansion of the production and shipping facilities within the building. During this time the company also began to incorporate computer / online technology into everyday operations.
6th Generation
Learning the Ropes!
1895
August L. Goetze and his son, William A. Goetze, began manufacturing a variety of confections in Baltimore, Maryland. The company was then known as The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company, and was located around the corner from the world-famous John Hopkins Hospital.
1909
R. Melvin Goetze, Sr. (2nd generation), son of William A. Goetze, joined the company.
1917
R. Melvin Goetze, Sr. made chu-ees (Caramel Creams® without the center) at home, which soon developed into the first Caramel Creams® when the cream center was added.
1918
Caramel Creams® were produced and put on the market.
1928
A steady growth of business forced The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company to move to a new 24,000 square foot production facility, where it was able to triple output. The company still resides in this location.
1935
R. Melvin Goetze, Jr. (3rd Generation) joined the company. It was this generation, along with the next, who were responsible for the company’s automation.
1940
The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company began to manufacture Caramel Creams® exclusively. Like other candy companies who sooner or later choose their best seller as their principal item, the Goetze chose their fast-selling Caramel Creams®.
1951
The first delivery of corn syrup by tank truck in Baltimore’s history was made to Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. on October 5th of that year as well.
Realizing that automation would be the key to success in the future, the Goetze’s began the process of mechanizing the business.
1958
The company was incorporated under the name Goetze Candy Company, Inc. Also in this year, the Goetzes replaced wax paper with cellophane for the Caramel Creams® twists.
1959
As they entered their 64th year in business, the 4th generation of the Goetze family joined the company.
1968
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. introduced licorice flavored Caramel Creams® to the market.
1971
The company began to produce Chocolate Caramel Creams®.
1975
The peanut butter flavor was incorporated into the company’s product offerings.
1977
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. started using an automated answering service.
1980
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. began to create Strawberry Creams products.
1982
The company began to produce Butter Rum Mints.
1983
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. introduced a product called “Outlaw.”
1984
R. Melvin Goetze, Jr. was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.
The company began production of Cow Tales®.
1985
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. discontinued the production of Outlaw®, as well as its Butter Rum Mints, but incorporated banana and cherry flavors into the remaining product offerings.
1987
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. introduced Mini Cow Tales®, which are small versions of the traditional Cow Tales®, to the market.
1992
During this year, the 5th generation of the Goetze family joined the business. Super Cow Tales® were introduced to the market that year as well.
1993
Cow Tales® were nominated as product of the year and the company began to produce “Old Fashioned” Caramel Apple Sticks®.
1994
The company discontinued its banana and cherry flavors.
1995
The company also discontinued its peanut butter flavored products.
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. celebrated its 100th anniversary!
The company began shipping worldwide.
1997
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. launched its website, www.goetzecandy.com.
1998
Spaulding A. Goetze, Sr. was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.
The first transaction was made on the company’s online store.
Super Cow Tales® were discontinued in this year as well.
2000
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. reintroduced Strawberry Creams as StrawberriCream®.
2002
The licorice flavor was discontinued.
2003
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. discontinued the production of its “Old Fashioned” Caramel Apple Sticks®.
2004
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. introduced Gourmet Caramels®, which are square caramels with 0 grams of trans fat.
2006
Due to high consumer demand, Goetze Candy Company, Inc. reinstated the caramel apple flavor by producing Caramel Apple Cow Tales®. The company also began producing a Mini Cow Tales® Bag, and a Caramel Mix® Bag, which includes Mini Cow Tales®, Caramel Creams®, and Gourmet Caramels®.
2007
Tony Gazzola, one of Goetze’s Regional Sales Managers, was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame later that year.
Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. redesigned its website in conjunction with the launch of a new marketing campaign: “The Average Kid”.
2008
Mitchell Goetze was elected as the Vice Chair of the National Confectioner’s Association.
William August Goetze (the 1st generation of Goetze’s to make confections) was given an honorary induction onto the Candy Hall of Fame as an Industry Pioneer.
During this time, Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. also released “Theater Boxes” of its popular Caramel Creams® and Mini Cow Tales® products.
2009
John Leipold, Goetze’s Candy’s Director Sales & Marketing, was indicted into the Candy Hall of Fame.
2010
Goetze’s Candy Company started its Give & Goetze Initiative with the Scouts and Boy’s Life Magazine.
Mitchell Goetze was elected as Chairman of the National Confectioner’s Association.
During this time, the company also introduced two new Caramel Creams® flavors: double chocolate and (re-released) Licorice.
2011
Goetze’s Candy released a new pack size of its Vanilla Cow Tales: King Size!
In addition to the initiative with boy’s Life Magazine, Give & Goetze was utilized to support a local event. We teamed up with the local Scouts to support a local team (Team Baltimore Racing), for an event that was taking place in our home town (The Baltimore Grand Prix).
2012
We redesigned all of our websites!
