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West Jordan Journal

Taffy Town Moves to West Jordan

Jun 14, 2016 09:37AM ● By Tori La Rue

The Glade family breaks ground for their new Taffy Town facility. –Tori La Rue

By Tori La Rue | [email protected]


James Vernon Glade, a miner from Park City, was struggling to pay the bills after the birth of his second child, so he used change in his pocket to buy materials to make a 5-pound bag of peppermint chews that he would later sell for profit. 

“That’s how Glade Candy Company got started,” Derek Glade, James’ great grandson, said. “Within just a couple of months, he had a bicycle delivery and over 50 different accounts, and we just grew from there.” 

Now, one hundred years and four generations after that first batch of peppermint chews, James’ company has grown to become a national distributer that his grandson and four great sons manage. The company dabbled in many different kinds of candy before finding their niche – taffy. They subsequently changed their name to Taffy Town in 1994.

“Our great grandfather, he’d probably be surprised that the business is still around, but he’d be proud,” Jason Glade, president of Taffy Town, said. “He was a true entrepreneur and he’d be excited about our big move.” 

For the third time in company history, Taffy Town’s is switching locations, and they’re coming to West Jordan at 9813 Prosperity Road. The Glade family broke ground on the building on May 10, and are expecting a grand opening sometime mid-November. 

Jordan Glade, Jason’s son, has mixed feelings about the new building. 

“It will be good to have a more workable environment and more space, but I’ve been in that other building since I was just a little kid, so I think I will miss it a little,” the 15-year-old said. 

Derek said he’s excited for the move because it will give them adequate space, and he said he’s excited about the relocation to West Jordan because his family has ties to the city. Several of the executive members of Taffy Town live in West Jordan, and Derek attended West Jordan High School when he first started working at Taffy Town as a teenager. 

The family continues to fill many roles in the business, but some of their 50 employees are not related to them. Jacob Sites, Taffy Town employee, met Aaron Glade, Jason and Derek’s brother, back east. When Aaron offered Jacob a job, he jumped on the opportunity. 

“The cost of living is way cheaper here, and the job is busy and fast paced,” Sites said. “The family is just a great family to work with. It’s a great place. I love my job.” 

Taffy Town will likely be hiring more employees once their new facility opens, and they’d love to have some West Jordan residents on their team, Derek. He said to stay tuned for job announcements in the future. 

Lamont Snarr, board director of the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce, said he’s thrilled that Taffy Town will be calling West Jordan its home. 

“It’s a symbol of industry and the longevity of family businesses,” Snarr said. “Family businesses can stick around. That can happen. It’s the American Dream. It really is.”