There are countless mysteries and forgotten favorites in the world of candy and I’ve had the pleasure of documenting many of them right here on this site. It’s always a thrill to discover these lost treats and fun to shine a light on them for all to see – it’s also a big part of why I enjoy documenting the confectionery segment of our shared pop-cultural past. That makes today a particularly good one as I’ll be looking at a delightful pair of wrappers you won’t find anywhere else from the early 1970’s and Ralston-Purina’s previously unknown Candy Maker brand.
Though I’d known that Ralston-Purina had dipped its foot into the candy category, I’d never heard of their Candy Maker brand before. But that changed when a pair of wrappers from the early 70’s surfaced earlier this year. But before I get to those, I’d like to discuss Ralston-Purina and their more well-known association with candy.
Growing up, I mostly associated the Ralston-Purina Checkerboard with their Purina pet food packaging like Chuck Wagon and Meow Mix.
In spite of my early associating of the Checkerboard logo with pet foods, Purina as part of Ralston-Purina had their hands in a broader range of food products for people including one of the great cereal classics: Freakies cereal.
In the realm of candy I only knew them as the company that for a time were owners of the Cardinet Candy company, makers of the classic U-NO bar (still produced by the Annabelle Candy Company.)
Another classic that was under the checkerboard umbrella during this time was the Baffle Bar:
While owners of Cardinet, Ralston-Purina also released a pair of colorfully-named but lesser-known bars whose wrappers are pretty tough to track down in their own right; Smuggler and Hula-Kai.
Ralston-Purina would go on to sell their Cardinet Candy holdings to the previously-mentioned Annabelle’s in 1978, ending their brief foray into the candy category.
But as best as I can figure, before Ralston-Purina ever purchased Cardinet, they took a stab at the candy category on their own by creating The Candy Maker brand.
There isn’t much to say about The Candy Maker, as the only evidence that I could find that the brand even existed are the two amazing wrappers that surfaced earlier this year. So with that in mind, here they are:
Though it is only speculation, my guess is that The Candy Maker brand fizzled, leading Ralston-Purina to try a different strategy; the acquisition of Cardinet.
Whatever the reality may have been, I’m just glad we have these Candy Maker wrappers to remember this wonderful and previously-forgotten brand.
As I said at the top of today’s post, finds like this are always exciting and discovering these two Candy Maker wrappers ranks as one of my favorite discoveries this year. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing them and can appreciate my speculations about them. If anyone out there happens to remember The Candy Maker brand or any of the bars, I’d love to hear about it!
And that’s everything I’ve got on the mysterious Candy Maker from Checkerboard Square. See you next time!
They also made Donkey Kong Junior cereal with a PEZ dispenser & candy premium. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bolio88/8371793384/
Thanks for the comment.
That’s my pal Jason’s cereal box scan and of course I knew they did a Pez premium in the 80’s.
Of course having a PEZ premium in Donkey Kong Jr cereal didn’t put Ralston back in the candy business anymore than that cereal put them in the video game business. So I didn’t think it bore inclusion here. But it IS fun… and when I do a follow-up to my candy-premiums in cereal post, I’ll include it.
Cereal and Candy: Best of Breakfast Friends http://www.collectingcandy.com/wordpress/?p=428
Thanks for the link, Jason… it was really cool to check out part of your cereal box (with candy premiums) collection! Your knowledge on this stuff invaluable… great work, bro!
–Dave
Fun post!
Ralston-Purina also owned Hostess for a while (1980s-1990s), but I’ve never seen evidence of the Checkerboard logo used on snack cake packaging.
HELLO – and thank you! My brother and I loved the Hula Kai candy bar- We have not been able to find evidence of it until today when I found your site. We almost thought we dreamed it. WOW- thank you. Do you know who, if anyone, still makes the Hula-Kai?
Thanks
Lisa
Hi, I found a old box from this candy company. I am looking to see if it is worth anything.
Hi, I am a descendant of the founders of the Cardinet candy company. It warms my heart to hear others speak of the company in such wonderful terms. The company is a fond family memory.
Valorie Hall
Hello Valorie,
Ah, this makes me so happy to hear from one of the founders descendants. An absolute pleasure to have you visit and comment. -Jason