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Watson’s Candies, Dave Portnoy & The Barstool Fund…

The Barstool Fund | Barstool Sports
We wanted to take some time to officially thank Dave Portnoy & The Barstool Fund for their generous support during these trying times.
There are not enough words to truly express our gratitude, but we are going to try…

Back in 1932 Mr. & Mrs. Watson decided to open Watson’s Candies. Right in the thick of the great depression, they knew that people needed a reason to smile. They were able to open the original shop in Downtown Walpole, MA and soon enough their gourmet chocolate were making the community smile again.

Original shop located in Downtown Walpole
When the Watson’s decided it was time to sell the store, they sold it to the Hilliard family and then eventually it was sold to the current owner Virginia Tracey. The Watson’s only had a few requests when they sold the shop. Whoever would own it in the future had to keep the Watson name & promise that they would continue the traditional recipes & processes. The Hilliard’s kept the promise, and so did Virginia. If you were to walk into the shop today, we can assure you that our chocolates are going to taste exactly as they did back in 1932. We still use the same kettles, trays, tools & recipes that the Watson family did.

In order to keep this promise, there must be a certain type of person that works here. From beginning to end, the process of making our candy takes a lot of passion. We start with the cooks, that must intricately put the ingredients together. Then we have our dippers that spend time dipping each individual piece of chocolate. Once the candy is settled, it is individually packed into our gourmet boxes. After all of this, you get to order a box for yourself or your loved ones and that completes the whole process. Luckily, we have a staff that is dedicated to this craft.

Current shop located at 761 Main St. Walpole, MA 

At one point the shop had about 15 employees to do all of this work, beginning to end. Due to the pandemic & funding issues we are down to 7. On top of having a smaller staff, 4 of those employees are brand new. The Watson way is not one that is learned over night. Through our busiest time of year, our new employees had to jump headfirst into this and luckily, we were able to make it through this holiday season so far. It has taken an extreme amount of teamwork, patience and effort to deliver everyone’s beloved chocolates this past year. But we made it through and are looking forward to finishing out our busiest season on a high note!

Dipping Molasses Chip in the 1940’s. 
Over the years we have heard a lot of stories while we are packing your orders. Stories about how you would watch the woman in the front of the old shop dipping candy. Or how you order our chocolates for Christmas every year, because your grandparents used to send them to you. Old employees coming in to say Virginia gave them their first job. Or parent’s coming in to send their kids across the country a little gift from home. The stories are endless, and we love to hear them all. Just another reason that small businesses are so important. It is such a personal experience to go to these shops, and we are so grateful that we get to stay a part of that with you.

With the money from The Barstool Fund, we are able to take a little breather and regroup. Virginia made a promise that she was going to get Watson’s to it’s 100th Year. Because of this opportunity, that goal is becoming even more of a reality. The Watson’s had a dream to give everyone a reason to smile during one of the toughest times this country has ever seen. Here we are in 2021, almost a year into this pandemic, with the same goal. Chocolate can’t fix all your problems, but it can sure make your day a little better!

So thank you again to David Portnoy, to Barstool, and of course all of you. Businesses like ours can only survive with the support of the people. We are forever grateful for all of your kindness.
We wanted to add a few pictures to show all of the owners of this little gem. Pictured below is Mr. & Mrs. Watson with their son Doug, Mr. Hilliard & Virginia Tracey. All three owners, keeping their promise, and doing things the same way. ♥
Mr. & Mrs. Watson with their son Doug making homemade candy canes at the old shop.
Second owner : Mr. Hilliard
Our very own Virginia Tracey prepping starch for our Maple Creams. ( Photo by Thanh P. Luong)

You can check out some of the other businesses that Barstool has helped over at The Barstool Fund!

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Show Your Love with Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

Show Your Love with Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

gift of chocolate on Valentine's Day Heart Boxed ChocolatesShow your love with chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Watson’s Candies has a great selection of fine gourmet chocolates and unique Valentine’s Day treats. Show your loved one you care with our Heart Shape Boxed Chocolates. You can order assorted chocolates in a one pound classic heart box, or talk to us about the many specialty boxes available. While you’re here, try out delectable Mini Valentine Heart Box of Chocolates, Valentine’s Day Nonpareils, Gourmet Truffles, Chocolate Cherubs, Foiled Solid Chocolate Hearts, and so much more.

We have crafted high-quality gourmet chocolates using nothing but the finest ingredients for over 85 years, and continue to do so with the same appreciation and integrity that we always have. In other so-called gourmet chocolates you may find artificial or substitute fats and ingredients added in order to achieve certain shine or consistency. Not with Watson’s Gourmet Chocolates. We never presume to feed our loyal patrons anything that they didn’t sign up for!

Stop in or shop our online store to see our wonderful selection of Valentine’s Day chocolates and candies and to discover why Watson’s Candies is THE source for gourmet chocolates. Say, “I love you”, with a gift of chocolate on Valentine’s Day!

Where did the tradition of giving sweets to your sweetheart come from?

Richard Cadbury, from the British chocolate manufacturing family began the trend of giving chocolates in heart shaped boxes. After improving a process of extracting cocoa butter from whole beans for a better drinking chocolate in England, he used the excess cocoa butter to produce many more “eating chocolates”. He created beautifully decorated boxes of his own design to showcase the chocolates and increase sales. He may have been the first to produce the heart shaped box in the 1860’s. Not only were they a beautiful box to receive on Valentine’s Day, they were also used afterwards to store mementos – locks of hair, love letters, and the like. Those famous Necco Sweethearts we all know and love, now known as “conversation hearts”, were invented in 1866 by Daniel Chase.

Show your love with chocolate on Valentine’s Day, an on any other special occasion! It’s a gift that’s always greatly appreciated.

Our Gourmet Chocolates are Perfect for So Many Occasions:

  • Valentine’s Day
  • Easter
  • Greek Easter
  • Mother’s Day
  • Father’s Day
  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • Client Appreciation Gifts
  • Client Relationship Gifts
  • Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Weddings
  • Holiday Parties
  • Catered Dessert Tables
  • Many Many More!!
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Holiday Gift Shopping at Watson’s Candies

Holiday Gift Shopping at Watson’s Candies

assorted chocolates for christmasShow them you care! Holiday Gift Shopping at Watson’s Candies is a great place to begin.

At Watson’s Candies we have so many scrumptious treats for your loved ones, family and friends, clients, employees…  We have our famous, festive Boxed Genuine Homemade Chocolates in so many sizes, Peppermint Bark, grab and go gift boxes like our Chocolate Santas and Nuts Gift Box, Holiday Nonpareils, stocking stuffers, and so much more. Or let us create and customize a Holiday Gift Basket for you to gift to loved ones, employees, or clients!

If you want to impress your clients or prospects, or show your appreciation, start your holiday gift shopping at Watson’s Candies. We know how important it is for you to make a great impression. Watson’s Candies can tastefully meet your, or your company’s, gift-giving needs with delicious, handmade chocolates for anyone.

Order online, mail us from our Contact page, or call us at 508-668-2634! We’ll be happy to help you show how much you care.

Check out more about Watson’s Candies in this article featured in VisitingNewEngland.com!