Gardners Candies, a longstanding fixture in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, traces its origins back to 1897 when teenage entrepreneur James “Pike” Gardner began selling sweets from a horse-drawn wagon. Over the decades, this family-owned candy shop has evolved into a cherished destination that seamlessly blends historical charm with handcrafted treats, particularly its signature Peanut Butter Meltaways. These soft, chocolate-coated squares have become synonymous with the company, and their creation involved an unexpected collaboration with academic expertise.
The Science Behind a Classic
The Original Peanut Butter Meltaway was perfected in the early 1960s with assistance from Penn State University’s Food Science Department, marking a unique partnership that highlights the intersection of local tradition and scientific innovation. Penn State food scientists worked diligently to refine the candy’s texture, ensuring it melted smoothly on the tongue rather than requiring prolonged chewing. The result was a product that combined peanut butter and chocolate into a creamy square.
Read Also: Alabama Store Sells Treasures from Lost Airline Luggage
The meltaway’s success led to various flavor variations, ranging from cappuccino to seasonal offerings, each designed to maintain the original’s signature softness while introducing new tastes. These options expand the candy’s appeal, allowing customers to explore beyond the classic version. The flagship store in Tyrone, located along the historic railroad line between Altoona and State College, features antique displays, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, and a penny candy counter, creating an immersive experience that celebrates both nostalgia and innovation. The decor leans antique and charming, which suits a business with roots in the 1890s, with hand-painted signs and wooden fixtures lending a warm, authentic atmosphere to the space.
The museum’s compact collection showcases vintage molds and early machinery that trace the evolution from horse-drawn wagon operations to modern chocolate production. Visitors can observe the transformation of tools and techniques that shaped each generation of confectionery craft. These artifacts connect directly to the founder’s original methods, showing how equipment advances paralleled business growth. The exhibits also include photographs documenting the shop’s expansion from a mobile operation to its current multi-room establishment, offering a visual narrative of perseverance and adaptation.
