Every Idaho Spud Candy Bar Still Comes Out Of This Century-Old Idaho Candy Factory
A candy bar shaped like a potato has been made since 1918, and it contains zero potato. Instead, you get a cocoa-flavored marshmallow center, dark chocolate, and a snowy sprinkle of coconut.
The wild part is where it comes from. Every single bar still rolls out of one brick factory built in 1909, using some equipment from the early 1900s.
I love that Idaho’s most famous crop inspired a sweet treat this odd and this loyal. I believe few snacks carry this much hometown pride in such a small wrapper.
The building was once the most modern in town. It was also the first in Idaho with skylights.
Now it sells candy out the front door while the factory hums in back. So what else is hiding behind that counter?
A Downtown Factory That Never Moved Out
Some businesses chase bigger buildings across town. The Idaho Candy Company stayed put, and that choice gives it a story you can still stand inside.
The company sits in downtown Boise, Idaho, a short stroll from the Idaho State Capitol. Its factory store sits right up front, while the actual candy-making happens in the back of the same building.
That setup matters more than it sounds. Paul Sturdivant, one of the current owners, has confirmed that every single bit of candy is still made at the Boise facility.
So when you grab an Idaho Spud here, it hasn’t traveled from some distant plant. It came from a few rooms away.
The store itself is a candy shop and a mini history lesson rolled together. There’s a display on the company’s past, and free samples are part of the visit.
Don’t expect a giant warehouse full of novelty sweets, though. The shelves hold what this factory makes, and nothing else.
That focus is the whole point.
Think of it less as a candy store and more as a working factory with a friendly front porch. That’s a rare thing to find in any downtown.
How A 1901 Start Turned Into 50-Plus Candy Bars
Thomas Ovard Smith, known as T.O., founded the company back in 1901. Boise was a much smaller place then, and boxed candy was a fresh idea.
The business grew fast enough to need a real home. In 1909, it moved into the factory on South 8th Street, and it never left.
Over the decades, the company has produced more than 50 different candy bars. Most have faded away, but a handful became true Idaho legends.
The Idaho Spud arrived in 1918 and has stayed in production ever since. The Old Faithful Bar followed in 1925, and the Cherry Cocktail Bar joined in 1926.
Ownership has passed between four families over the years. In July 2025, the Sturdivant family took over from the Wagers family.
That handoff kept the company family-owned and family-run. The new owners have also talked about bringing back factory tours someday.
I like that a business this old still feels personal. Paul and Megan Sturdivant even sign their names when they thank customers.
More than a century later, the same building still holds the same mission. Make good candy, and make it right here.
The Skylights That Made Boise Look Up
Back in 1909, skylights were a big deal. This factory was the first building in all of Idaho to have them.
When it opened, people hailed it as Boise’s most modern building. Natural light pouring onto a candy floor was cutting-edge stuff at the time.
The builders thought about workers too. The factory included a dedicated welfare room, which was basically an early version of a break room.
That was a thoughtful touch for an era not famous for comfy job perks. Somebody back then clearly understood that happy candy makers make better candy.
Today, the building still carries that sense of age. It’s a brick-and-history kind of place, right in the middle of a changing downtown.
Boise has grown a lot around this corner. New towers and shops keep rising, yet this factory keeps doing the same job it did over a century ago.
For anyone who loves heritage architecture, that alone makes a stop worthwhile. You’re seeing a working building, not a museum piece behind a velvet rope.
And yes, the candy smell is a bonus you won’t get from a plaque.
Why A Potato-Shaped Bar Holds No Potato
Here’s a fun one for out-of-state friends. The Idaho Spud looks like a potato, carries a potato name, and contains absolutely no potato.
The shape is a tribute to Idaho’s famous crop. Inside, there’s a light cocoa-flavored marshmallow center that’s soft and pillowy.
That center gets coated in dark chocolate. Then comes a sprinkle of coconut flakes, which gives it that speckled, fresh-from-the-field potato look.
It’s the company’s bestselling bar, and it’s gluten-free. That’s handy news for snackers who usually skip the candy aisle.
The recipe has stayed in production since 1918. That’s over a century of the same quirky idea working just fine.
Plenty of Idahoans grew up with these in lunch boxes and gas station checkouts. For many folks, the wrapper alone feels like home.
I can’t imagine a better edible souvenir from this state. It’s funny, a little strange, and unmistakably Idaho.
One small note for coconut skeptics. The flakes are part of the deal, so plan accordingly.
Everyone else should grab two, because sharing one Spud rarely goes as planned.
Huckleberry Gems, Old Faithful, And A Toffee Trio
The Spud gets the spotlight, but the supporting cast deserves applause. Several of these bars have been around for nearly a century.
The Old Faithful Bar dates to 1925. The Cherry Cocktail Bar followed in 1926, so it’s been a candy staple for generations.
Then there’s the newest kid on the block. The Huckleberry Gem Bar arrived in 2012, bringing Idaho’s favorite purple berry into chocolate form.
Huckleberry fans across the Panhandle and beyond will understand the appeal. It’s a flavor that feels like a summer hike in candy form.
Toffee lovers have choices too. Owyhee Butter Toffee first appeared in 1925 and still comes in three versions.
You can get the original chunk, a bite-sized style, or a chocolate-covered take. That’s a lot of options for one sweet, buttery idea.
The factory also turns out about 10 to 12 kinds of bulk candies. That gives the shelves more variety than you might guess from the small shop.
Peanut brittle is one name that pops up often with fans. With this lineup, picking just one favorite becomes a real family debate.
Free Samples And A Candy History Display Up Front
Free samples are a powerful thing. They turn a quick stop into a slow, happy taste test.
The factory store at the Idaho Candy Company offers those samples, which makes it easy to find a new favorite. It’s a smart move for undecided snackers.
The shop also features a candy history display. Old photos and vintage items help tell the story of a company that started in 1901.
It’s a cozy space, not a sprawling one. Plan on browsing, chatting, and choosing rather than wandering for an hour.
Right now, production tours aren’t available. The new owners plan to bring them back so guests can see the historic machinery in action.
That’s worth watching for, since some original early-1900s equipment is still in use. Seeing it someday would be a real treat.
Families, history buffs, and Boise newcomers will all find something here. Visitors heading out of state also like grabbing gifts for friends back home.
The company ships candy too. So if you fall hard for a certain bar, you can keep it coming after you leave Idaho.
Plan Your Sweet Stop Before Heading Downtown
Getting there is the easy part. The store sits at 412 S 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, in the heart of downtown.
It’s close to the Idaho State Capitol, so it pairs nicely with a downtown walk. You can easily fold it into a Treasure Valley day trip.
Timing takes a little more care. The shop opens early on weekdays, which makes it handy for travelers leaving town in the morning.
Weekend hours have recently expanded to include most Saturdays. Still, hours shift, so check before driving in.
Prices for candy bars stay friendly, usually just a few dollars. Gift boxes are also available for anyone shopping for a crowd.
Mark your calendar for a big one, too. The company plans a 125th birthday celebration on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Every guest at that party is set to receive a free Idaho Spud bar. That’s a birthday gift where the birthday kid hands out presents.
Downtown parking can take a minute to sort out. Give yourself a little extra time, because nobody wants to rush a candy decision.
A Century-Old Sweet Spot Worth Your Afternoon
Not every famous snack still has a hometown address. The Idaho Spud does, and you can walk right up to it.
That’s what makes the Idaho Candy Company feel special. It’s a working factory, a family business, and a piece of Boise history in one brick building.
The candy keeps the story fun. A potato-shaped marshmallow bar, a huckleberry treat, and old-school toffee give everyone something to argue about.
The building adds weight to every bite. Those 1909 walls and skylights have watched downtown change around them for more than a century.
Is it a giant attraction? No, and that’s fine.
It’s a quick, sweet stop that fits neatly into a Boise afternoon.
New owners have stepped in with fresh plans. Future tours and a 125th birthday bash give longtime fans fresh reasons to come back.
I believe places like this help Idaho remember itself. They keep small traditions alive while the state keeps growing.
So swing by, try a sample, and pick your favorite bar. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with a whole bag instead.
