by Passing through Bethlehem, PA puts you in the heart of Peeps Country, as the marshmallowy delights are made right here at the Just Born Candy Company. Just Born is family-owned, and has been in business since 1923, originally operating in Brooklyn, NY before relocating to Pennsylvania in 1932. They also make Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, Just Born Jelly Beans, and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. In other words, candies made of pure sugar.
Founder Sam Born emigrated to the US from Russia, and was the key to many important candy innovations: the technology to make chocolate sprinkles (or jimmies, depending upon where you’re from); the hard chocolate coating used to make Eskimo Pies; and the machine that mechanically inserts sticks into lollipops, called the -– wait for it –- Born Sucker Machine.
Only in the pursuit of Adventure Travels would we purchase these teeth-decaying “treats”. The Mike & Ikes and Hot Tamales were better than remembered, but the Peeps are hard to understand, to be honest.
Sadly, the Just Born Candy Company is not open for tours.
