St. Stephen is officially Canada’s Chocolate Town, proud of its chocolate-related heritage. Today the town enjoys an annual Chocolate Fest, as well as a Chocolate Museum and Chocolatier.
In 1873 brothers James and Gilbert Ganong opened a grocery store in St. Stephen; when it almost failed, they added candy – then a specialty item – to the list of wares for sale. Meeting with success, they started to make their own candy to sell in the store.
From this modest beginning, Ganong Bros. Ltd. grew dramatically. By 1930 the company was a major corporation employing 700 people, and is still a major employer in the town.
Ganong Chocolatier Shop
The Ganong Chocolatier is a place where you’ll discover many old-fashioned chocolate varieties that have been made for over half a century. Each is an exquisite masterpiece of the confectioner’s art. Rich milk caramel, chocolate truffles, peanut butter cups, delicious double-dipped cherries, the one and only Ganong Original Chicken Bones and many, many more! Visit the Ganong Chocolatier at 73 Milltown Blvd, St. Stephen.
The Chocolate Museum
Located in the historic Ganong candy factory, the Chocolate Museum offers an interactive way to learn about candy making.
Explore the history of the Ganong family and the wonder of chocolate with hands-on exhibits, vintage chocolate boxes, and antique candy-making equipment and machines. You can even peek into the studio where Ganong’s famous hand dippers still craft chocolates the way they have for more than one hundred years.
Chocolate Fest
Chocolate Fest began in 1984 and is a unique celebration of chocolate; rich in culture, delightful to the senses and offering an unforgettable experience.
“The Great Chocolate Mousse” is the official mascot. In 1994 The Great Chocolate Mousse married his lovely wife, Tiffany. The Chocolate Mousse and Tiffany are very popular during the festival with both young and old chocolate lovers. They bring out the child in all of us. Look for them at all the events and give them a hug!
