Originally Posted by
CDTraveler
Hmm, both companies started around the same time. One has distribution through many of the 50 states and 3 foreign countries. The other is available in about a third of the state of Ohio. Maybe one company grew far larger than the other due to superior product? or maybe one company grew bigger because of far greater customer demand for its product?
I say that having tasted both - the Esther Price chocolates struck me as 'See's wannabees" - just a little blah.
Of course, Esther Price ran it as a family business until she retired, then sold to another family. It is still a private family-run enterprise, where EVERYTHING is made by hand. The trademark red-ribboned boxes are even TIED by hand. During warm months not conducive to candy-making, they just shut down in order to ensure quality. Many (including me) have tried to buy them, but they're not for sale.
Whereas See's is a faceless corporate entity owned by Warren Buffett. Successful, yes. But geared to mass tastes.
Esther's product to me always seemed more akin to a European style fresh chocolate with a real cream center (without the obsession on hazelnuts). See's centers to me are the Achilles' heel - too dry & grainy. And they cover most of OH, plus large parts of IN & KY through retail distribution.
Of course, I'd skip the chocolate-covered
Mike-Sell's potato chips. They're just....wrong....