IMPORTANT DATES IN
NORTHWEST CHOCOLATE HISTORY

 

1885	Roger’s Chocolates opens its doors in Victoria, British Columbia.
1907	Purdy Chocolates is created in Vancouver, B.C.
1911	Frank and Ethel Mars establish a candy company in Tacoma, Washington.
1912	J. C. Haley joins Harry Brown to form the Brown and Haley Candy Company in Tacoma.
1920	Julius Rudolph Franzen (great uncle of Dana Taylor Davenport) creates the Portland Truffle Company.
1927	Van Duyn’s Chocolates begins business in Portland
1938	Candy Basket begins business as a small family operation.
1976	Dilettante Chocolates created by Dana Taylor Davenport.
1980’s	Van Duyn’s Chocolates is sold to candy-illiterate investors.
1982	Bernard Callebaut immigrates to Canada to produce European-style pralines and chocolates in Calgary, Alberta.
	Fran’s Chocolates opens its doors in Seattle.
1985	Oh Chocolate! is established in Bellevue, Washington.
1986	JiCiva Chocolates and Pastries is founded in Portland.
1987	House of Brussels Chocolates is established in Vancouver B.C.
1991	Van Duyn’s Chocolates is rescued by the Sean Gilronan Family.
1992	Fenton & Lee Chocolatiers in Eugene win the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) award for Best Confection for their Chocolate Espresso Wafers.
	Joseph Vasquez creates Joseph’s Dessert Company in Portland.
	Seattle Chocolates, started by two Seattle natives, hits the chocolate scene.
1993	Moonstruck Chocolate Company is established in Portland
	After being in the wholesale business for two years, Chocolate Arts of Vancouver, B.C. opens its retail store.
1996	Bernard Callebaut, the only invited North American guest to the International Festival of Chocolate in Montelimar, France, wins three prestigious awards.
2000	Dagoba Organic Chocolate Company is founded by Frederick Schilling in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.
2001	Moonstruck Chocolates is purchased by Dave and Sally Bany.
	Candy Basket opens additional retail stores in the Portland Metro area.
2003	Moonstruck moves to its new facility in North Portland, and opens the first of its new Chocolate Cafés in Lake Oswego.
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