Liberty Orchards Co.
Fruit wholesaler · Cashmere ·
Maker of Aplets & Cotlets candies, a century-old Washington tradition
Maker of Aplets & Cotlets candies, a century-old Washington tradition
"I'm heartened to know Liberty Orchards, the 100-year-old maker of Aplets and Cotlets, has found a buyer after announcing it would cease operations by June 1; the company posted a statement on its website and Facebook on May 28 saying it will remain open and continue normal operations until negotiations are concluded, though the buyer's identity wasn't disclosed. The candies themselves are fruit- and walnut-filled confections coated in powdered sugar (similar to Turkish delights) that Liberty Orchards began producing in the early 20th century to use surplus apple and apricot crops and first advertised in the Seattle Times in 1921; they became ubiquitous across Washington and even prompted a failed 2009 legislative effort to declare them the state's official candy. The company had been seeking a buyer for years — a search hindered by the pandemic and by a lack of interest from younger family members — and is led by 72-year-old president Greg Taylor, grandson of co-founder Armen Tertsagian. Although Liberty Orchards hasn't always had the best relationship with the local community (it once threatened to leave Cashmere unless the town promoted the brand), the town later named two streets after Aplets and Cotlets, and mayor Jim Fletcher said the company is part of Cashmere's identity and has strongly supported local events and civic groups." - Gabe Guarente
"Founded more than 100 years ago, the Cashmere, Washington–based Liberty Orchards announced on March 17 that it will cease operations on June 1 while continuing to seek a buyer for the Aplets and Cotlets brands, its production equipment, and its buildings. Washingtonians have long enjoyed Aplets and Cotlets—fruit- and walnut-filled treats coated in powdered sugar similar to Turkish Delights—that the family-owned company began producing in the early 20th century to use surplus apple and apricot crops and first advertised in the Seattle Times in 1921. The candies became a state staple, showing up on supermarket, convenience store, and pharmacy shelves and even prompting a 2009 legislative discussion to declare them the official candy of Washington. Company leaders say they sought a buyer for years with no luck; while the pandemic hindered that search, Greg Taylor—72 and the grandson of co-founder Armen Tertsagian—told KIRO Radio that a lack of interest from younger family members was decisive. The business employs around 55 full-time workers, some of whom have been there for decades. Liberty Orchards explored licensing the brands and decades ago threatened to leave town unless Cashmere promoted the product more—an episode that ultimately led to two streets being named after Aplets and Cotlets—and has long hosted tours and a Country Store where visitors sampled confections and kids sometimes got free samples; as Cashmere’s mayor Jim Fletcher noted, the company has been a strong supporter of local events and civic groups and is considered part of the town’s identity, making its closure a sad loss of an important legacy." - Gabe Guarente
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