LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) \u2014 Atkinson\u2019s Candy Company has worked to be part of family traditions for 94 years.<\/p>\n
The company started during the Great Depression in Lufkin, where Eric Atkinson\u2019s grandfather was told to find something to sell for a nickel.<\/p>\n
Luckily, he was able to find it, and since then, the family business has been based in East Texas, sharing candy around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I\u2019ve never, ever given a piece of candy to someone and they not get an automatic smile on their face,\u201d Atkinson said. \u201cIt does that to people, so it kind of makes us proud that we do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company has made millions of pieces of candy over nearly a century.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been in business for 94 years now and we\u2019ve made millions of pieces of candy that someone ate and enjoyed, and it made them happy I already know that,\u201d Atkinson said.<\/p>\n
President Kevin Green said Atkinson\u2019s Candy is the people who work there.<\/p>\n
\u201cPassion goes through every wall, every square inch of this facility, and passion can\u2019t be taught, passion comes from within,\u201d Green said. \u201cIt\u2019s a testament and a tribute to the personnel that we have here.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Green said the company\u2019s East Texas roots are essential to its identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t be who we are if we made any other changes and moved out of the area,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s very important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tawnya Harrell, an employee who ensures quality standards says, she loves Atkinsons and always goes above and beyond to ensure that the community gets the candy they deserve. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe make sure we give you the best candy, for years we\u2019ve done it and working here is a vibe,\u201d Harrell said.<\/p>\n
Justin Holliman, another employee, said the company\u2019s longevity matters, and makes a huge impact on the community. <\/p>\n
Holliman first was introduced to Atkinson Candy Co. during a field trip when he was a kid, and coming back, and being an employee for 10 years has been life changing. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn an impermanent society nothing lasts anymore, and I think it\u2019s important to see things last, positive things,\u201d Holloman said.<\/p>\n
The company said it plans to continue for decades to come. Its next project is updating its storefront.<\/p>\n
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