history

Goetze’s Candy through the years

1895

August Goetze and his son, William A. Goetze, purchase the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company and enter the confectionery industry.
1909

R. Melvin Goetze, Sr. (2nd generation), son of William A. Goetze, joins the company.
1918

The first Caramel Creams® candy is produced and hits the market.
1928

Due to steady growth, The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company builds a new facility on Monument Street, where Goetze’s Candy resides today.
1958

The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company is renamed Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc.
1968

Goetze’s Candy introduces a brand new licorice flavored Caramel Cream®.
1971

Goetze’s Candy begins to produce Chocolate Caramel Creams®.
1980

Goetze’s Candy introduces Strawberry Caramel Creams®.
1982

Caramel Creams® are wrapped in the iconic twist wraps still used today.
1984

Goetze’s Candy adds a brand new product: Cow Tales® candy.
1985

Goetze’s Candy begins making Banana Cow Tales® a year after Cow Tales® are launched.
1987

Goetze’s Candy launches a smaller miniature version of Cow Tales® called Mini Cow Tales®.
1991

The first Cow Tales® tumbler mug is introduced. Since that time, the tumblers have changed to promote new flavors and seasons.
1993

Goetze’s Candy launches Caramel Apple Cow Tales®, originally named “Caramel Apple Sticks.”
1996

With the successful launch of Caramel Apple Cow Tales®, Goetze’s Candy introduces Chocolate Cow Tales®.
1998

Spaulding Goetze Sr. is inducted into Candy Hall of Fame.
2008

William August Goetze is inducted into Candy Hall of Fame.
2014

Duke the cow becomes the new face of Cow Tales®, replacing Daisy who was the previous mascot.
2017

At the 136th Maryland State Fair, Goetze’s Candy set the record for the World’s Largest Cow Tale® at approximately 10 feet in length.
2018

Mitchell Goetze wins the 73rd Kettle Award in Chicago, Illinois.

1895
1909
1918
1928
1958
1968
1971
1980
1982
1984
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1991
1993
1996
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2008
2014
2017
2018

Goetze’s sweet Legacy

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, August became aware of the gum business performing poorly and made an offer to buy it with his son. In 1909, William’s son, R. Melvin Goetze Sr., joined the company just fourteen years into the families chewing gum business and confectionary legacy.

William Goetze & original staff – Circa 1900

Five years after Melvin Sr.’s arrival, the First World War began. The family stayed in the confectionery business during this time, despite the shortage of commodities like chicle. This inspired the family to develop new confections, and in 1917 Melvin began making “chuees” (Caramel Creams® without the center) out of the family’s kitchen. Caramel Creams® were developed soon after and were released the following year.

Caramel Creams® released in 1918

During the early 20th century, Goetze’s Candy saw a steady growth in business, and in 1928 they moved manufacturing just a mile away, to a new 24,000 square foot production facility. This allowed the company to increase production and triple its output. Although the building has been modified over the years, Goetze’s Candy still manufactures caramel in the same location.

Baltimore Chewing Gum Co. – Ashland Ave
(1895-1928)

In 1945 Melvin Goetze, Jr., returned from World War II to join the family business. During the 1940’s, Goetze’s passion for excellence led the family to focus solely on the production of Caramel Creams®, also known as Bulls-Eyes®. Within this era, the Goetze family also renamed The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company to Goetze’s Candy Company. Goetze’s Candy Company was officially incorporated in 1959.

Goetze’s Candy Company incorporated in 1959

In 1959, Melvin, Jr.’s son, Randle Goetze III, joined the company, followed by his brother, Spaulding Goetze Sr., in 1965. Over the next few decades, Goetze’s Candy introduced new Caramel Creams® flavors and grew distribution. In 1984, Goetze’s Candy Company launched a new brand of chewy caramel candy called Cow Tales®. This new addition to Goetze’s caramel lineup was made from the same secret family recipe as Caramel Creams®, just in a new format.

The Cow Tales® brand name is a two-part tale of its own. The usage of Cow is an homage to the classic “Bulls-Eyes®” name for Caramel Creams®. The word Tales (NOT Tails) was selected to correlate the brand with whimsical and nostalgic children’s bedtime stories, since Cow Tales® was a more youthful and light-hearted take on Caramel Creams®. The image of the cow jumping over the moon, on the early packaging, was a nod to the “Hey Diddle Diddle” nursery rhyme, emphasizing Goetze’s choice of “Tales” over “Tails”.

Caramel Cow Tales® enter the market in 1984

In the 1990’s, Spaulding Sr.’s sons, Mitchell and Todd Goetze, along with another family member, David Long, joined the company. The 5th generation has carried on the tradition of Goetze’s Candy Company, improving production, introducing new products, and integrating technology throughout day-to-day operations. At present, they continue their efforts while championing the growth of the emerging 6th generation who started to join the family business in 2014. Collectively the Goetze family continues to honor their sweet family legacy bringing joy and nostalgia to candy lovers of all ages.