Mary Jane Candy

Mary Janes Old Fashioned Candies

Remember going to the corner store and picking out penny candy to enjoy on the way home? Mary Janes, the bite sized peanut butter and molasses morsels, were always a favorite at candy counters.

The story of Mary Janes began with a small candy company started in 1884 by Charles H. Miller and his three sons. The homemade candy was manufactured and sold from a very famous building – the Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End. After the death of their father, the three sons split the responsibilities of the business, and the candy manufacturing company became known as the Charles N. Miller Company.

The most successful candies, invented in 1914, were bite sized morsels made of peanut butter and molasses and called Mary Janes, named after a favorite aunt. Several variations of these tasty morsels was tried, but none were as successful as the original recipe.

Although The Stark Candy Company bought the Miller Company, they continued the tradition of Mary Janes. In 1990 Necco bought the Stark Company, and to this day manufactures Mary Janes with the original recipe.

The Mary Jane girl is now 94 years old, and still adorns each and every wrapper on the delicious candies. She even has a collectible vinyl figure crafted in her likeness that is just as cute as can be!

Visit our website to check out the adorable Mary Jane Figure along with other famous advertising characters.