In the 1920's, Marcoe Candy was born in our family home in Tacoma, WA. Our company began with a passion for high quality handmade candy that we wanted to share with our neighbors.

Humble Beginnings

Born in 1902, Floyd Marcoe Sr. was the beginning of the Marcoe Candy history. Born into a low income family, he was only able to complete the 3rd grade and was forced to begin working as a young child. In his young teens, he began working in the chocolate and confectionery trade for the Tacoma Cracker and Biscuit Company. Here began the process of him amassing an extensive knowledge in the confectionery craft and "earning his stripes" in becoming a master candy maker. Floyd Sr. married Dora McCoun in 1923, and by 1930 the couple had four children.

In the 1930's, around the same time the Tacoma Cracker and Biscuit Company closed, Floyd and Dora began manufacturing and selling their own candies out of their home in Tacoma. Their kids (Floyd Jr, Waunita, Jeanette, George and Eugene “Bunky”) would help to sell their products by going door-to-door through the community to take orders from their neighbors. This was also the time that Floyd and Dora obtained an exclusive fair concession at the Washington State Fair (formerly the Puyallup Fair) that started with 4 booths and had the company slogan of "Not Famous, But Good". They are still a staple of the fair and are best know for their famous sweet cream caramel apples.  

While working on growing his own family business, Marcoe & Sons, he continued to work for local candy confectioners such as "Weigel Candy Co.", "Everybody's Candies", and most notably for "Mars Chocolate Co." in their original factory in Tacoma, WA. They eventually dug out under their family home and built a large commercial kitchen/factory so they could produce on a larger scale.

Floyd Sr. was remarkable in his talents in creating candy formulas. He participated in the development of many formulas which helped to spawn some notable candies such as the Mars Milky Way candy bar, and the Frederick and Nelson Frango Mint Meltaway Truffle. Many of his original candy formulas are still being used by the company today.

During WWII, Marcoe & Sons Candy Co. was working with the US government in manufacturing candies, most notably vitamin C enriched hard candies, which were included in the K-Ration packs that were provided to our soldiers and sailors in the Army and Navy.

Soon after the passing of Floyd Sr. in 1971, Floyd Jr. opened his own candy company called "Marcoe's Chocolate Factory". In the mid 70's, Floyd Jr. moved the company to southern California, opening two stores located in Palm Desert and Palm Springs. During this time, his son Bob (3rd generation) began working for the company full time and learning the candy making craft.

While in southern California the company established a large following and grew a very successful mail order business, shipping chocolates all over the country.

In the mid 80's, the family moved the business back to Washington and opened a store on Main St. in Bellevue. The family no longer has a year round store but we continue to offer our products at the Washington State Fair and some local retailers. We are always looking to grow so if you're interested in our products for a special event or you would like to carry our products at a retail location please contact us.