Mary Jane (candy)
Mary Jane is an old-fashioned peanut butter- and molasses-flavored taffy-type candy. Originally made in 1914 by the Charles N. Miller Company and later by Stark Candy Company,[1] it was later manufactured by Necco.[1] Charles Miller initially made the candy in his kitchen in what was once the home of Paul Revere[2] and named the candy after his favorite aunt, Mary Jane, and it has featured the same "little girl" illustration on its wrappers since its inception.
 | |
| Type | Candy |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Created by | Charles N. Miller Company |
| Invented | 1914 |
Necco produced Mary Jane candies in Revere, Massachusetts,[3] until their 2018 bankruptcy, when Mary Janes and the company's other candy brands were auctioned off. No buyer was immediately found for Mary Janes.[4][5] The Mary Jane brand was later acquired by Spangler Candy Company. In October 2019, it was announced that the Atkinson Candy Company would make and sell Mary Janes starting in 2020 under a licensing agreement with Spangler.[6]
The candy was featured in Toni Morrison's first novel, The Bluest Eye.[7]
References
- Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat - Andrew F. Smith. p. 442.
- Mary Jane makes a sweet comeback Retrieved October 18,2020
- "NECCO Candy Company History Timeline". Feb 7, 2019. Retrieved Oct 14, 2020.
- Rosenberg, Eli. "Necco wafer factory abruptly shuts down after company is sold to unknown buyer". Retrieved Oct 14, 2020 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- Emily Petsko (March 22, 2019). "Necco Wafers and Sweethearts Are Making a Comeback—Whether You Like It or Not". MentalFloss.com. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- "Atkinson to produce Mary Jane candies under agreement with Spangler Candy". candyindustry.com. Candy Industry. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
- "Toni Morrison – Lovely Mary Jane". Genius. Retrieved Oct 14, 2020.
External links
- Mary Jane brand page at Atkinson Candy Company