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 It all began...
...when 16-year-old Christopher Henry Miller walked down the gangplank into New Orleans in 1845, a wondrous site met his eyes. Wherever he gazed along the muddy Mississippi he saw ships tied to the levee, sometimes three and four deep. There were sailing ships from every corner of the globe, bringing exotic and tantalizing trade goods to the bustling port. This is the city to which young Miller had come to seek his fortune.
The German lad quickly found employment in a pastry shop, his duties being to assist the baker. In the evenings he studied English, but on Sundays and holidays he found time to wander through the narrow streets of the French Quarter and the shaded tree lined avenues of the Garden District, looking at the homes and mansions being built by the wealthy Americans.
At the age of 24, the young confectioner took three decisive steps, the first being to obtain United States citizenship, the second to marry Miss Mary Wetzel, and the third to open the Miller Candy Company at the corners of Jackson and Levee Streets. From the beginning, his venture was a big success.
Not only did Christopher Henry Miller establish a reputation for fine candy making, but also for the integrity in which he conducted his business.
When he died on February 2, 1902, the newspaper wrote, " Mr. Miller was a man of the highest standing in business, and in all public and charitable undertakings was well known" The Millers were blessed with 13 children and one of the daughters marries Augustus Elmer, a great favorite of his father in law.
At the turn of the century Augustus Elmer and three of his brothers in law changed the name of the company to Miller - Elmer. Augustus' sons joined the business in 1914 and changed the name to the Elmer Candy Company.
For the next 60 years, the business expanded to include several factories making a wide variety of confections, bagged and bar candies, preserves, snacks and other specialty items sold in all fifty states.
In a continuing effort to grow the business, the Elmer family added a partner in the early 1960's. In 1963, Roy Nelson, a local entrepreneur purchased the entire company from the Elmer family. Due to lack of space, and the urban renewal movement in downtown New Orleans, the Nelson family moved the plant to Ponchatoula, a small farming community best known for their strawberry crop, about 45 miles from New Orleans.
In the 1970's, the confectionery business changed dramatically. Elmer Candy found itself competing directly with national confectionery companies. The management team decided to concentrate on seasonal boxed chocolate business, developing and marketing products specifically for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter.
Unfortunately, this caused Elmer's to discontinue manufacture of local favorites like "Chee Weez", "Mint Bubblets", and "Coconut Haystacks". These products are still remembered with reverence in the local area.
The company continues today under the guidance of the Nelson family, the management responsibilities being passed to the third generation of the Nelson family. The company continues to grow and is currently the second largest heart box chocolate manufacturer in the country.
Elmer's is the oldest family-owned, chocolate company in the United States and a leading manufacturer of quality chocolates for seasonal sales. Since 1855, Elmer's has been a Southern holiday tradition. Through the years, Elmer's has remained committed to making quality chocolates while embracing new cooking techniques, manufacturing innovations and marketing strategies. Today, Elmer's products brighten millions of "Sweet Occasions" across the country.
We hope you enjoy our site and don't forget to visit our online order pages where you're sure to find scrumptious treats such as our famous Gold Brick Topping!
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