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OUR PIONEERS

The Roses story is about more than candy – it’s a tale of pioneers who devoted their lives to making ours a little sweeter. Read on to learn more about the people whose innovation and passion for confection forged our legacy.


CLICK ON A FOUNDER TO LEARN MORE

HAROLD H. MILLS

Harold H. Mills established Gravymaster Company in 1935. At that time he owned and operated the Dryden & Palmer Rock Candy Company. Founded in 1880, Dryden & Palmer had been purchased by Mr. Mills in 1926. He conceived the idea that browning the residue syrup from the rock candy process would make a good base for a new gravy aid. Harold and his son John worked on the formula at night in their cellar in Scarsdale, NY cooking up experimental batches on the old gas fired laundry stove.

In the beginning there was a man in the plant who did nothing but squeeze fresh onions, garlic, parsley and celery. Later to make a more uniform product we switched to the natural flavorings extracted from the vegetables.

THOMAS D. RICHARDSON


Thomas D. Richardson had a vision for a new kind of American confection. He worked hard to perfect the recipe for his signature pillow soft sugar mints and began selling them at the counter of a Philadelphia department store in 1893. He was delighted when customers couldn’t get enough of his mints’ unique melt-in-your-mouth texture and smooth peppermint flavor. Richardsons soft sugar mints are still loved by sweet tooths of all ages. His passion for artisanal confection and love of innovation lives on as we here at Roses Brands continue to grow his legacy and craft delicious moments in his memory.

CHARLES DRYDEN & NOAH PALMER


During the late 1800s, Charles Dryden and Noah Palmer joined forces to create Dryden & Palmer Rock Candy. Their artisanal treats quickly became popular both as a medicine for treating coughs and an important ingredient in cocktails. Every saloon had their own version of a “Rock and Rye” (rock candy dissolved in rye whiskey). As years went on and the market changed, Dryden and Palmer were always on the forefront of innovation in their craft, surviving Prohibition, inventing the American classic rock candy on a stick, and spreading the joy of artisanal candy across the globe.

WALTER BOGDON


Walter Bogdon was passionate about candy. In the 1940s, he and his wife Ruth settled in Kansas City, founded Bogdon’s Confections, and quickly become known as the finest candymakers around. Bogdon used large industrial fans to push the delicious aromas of candy-making outside, attracting customers off the street. One day, he received a special request from a client – she was getting married, and wanted a unique treat to celebrate. Always one to go the extra mile to make a customer happy, Bogdon looked around his workshop; on one side were the copper pots used to cook hard candy, and on the other a bubbling pot of melted chocolate. Hmm. He rolled a batch of hard candy into long, thin sticks and dipped them in the chocolate. Voila! He named his new treat the Bodgon Reception Stick. The client was thrilled, and he was soon overwhelmed with requests for more. Walter Bogdon passed away in 1992 at the age of 89, having lived to see his unique Reception Sticks become a world-famous treat.

OUR FOREFATHERS’ PASSION FOR ARTISANAL CONFECTION AND LOVE OF INNOVATION LIVES ON TO THIS DAY.

At Roses Brands, we believe in the power of artisanal sweets and delicious food to create joy and uplifting moments. Every product we craft is based on a long heritage of award-winning mastery. That’s why we’ve been a part of American lives’ best moments for over 140 years.

We’re committed to providing unique and high-quality confections and alternatives – all while contributing to the wellbeing of our community and the lives of our customers. From our headquarters nestled in the beautiful Mohawk River Valley in Upstate New York, we draw from over 140 years of award-winning artisanal tradition to craft products that have delighted senses and warmed hearts for generations. Whether it’s our gourmet mints, our artisanal rock candy, our GravyMaster browning and seasoning sauce, or any one of our other wonderful products, you can always count on excellence you can taste and service you can trust.

We’re excited about what the future will bring as we challenge ourselves to reach higher, dream bigger, and spread even more hand-crafted happiness. Because at Roses Brands, we believe what we do is about much more than making your day a little sweeter – it’s about crafting delicious moments you’ll remember for years to come.

VALUES

FUN

Candy is all about fun! We believe in savoring the moment.

AUTHENTICITY

We’ll always be honest with you. Because this is about more than candy – it’s about quality you can count on.

COLLABORATION

For over 140 years, we’ve worked together to craft delicious moments. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

We draw from over 140 years of award-winning artisanal tradition to craft products that have warmed hearts for generations.

TRUST

We’ll never compromise on the quality of our products and customer service. That’s a Roses promise.

INNOVATION

At Roses, we’re constantly challenging ourselves to reach higher, dream bigger, and spread even more hand-crafted happiness.

TEAM

Roses Brands® management team!

On the roster:

J BRENT MEYER

Chairman & CEO

KOBI AFEK

President & COO

DIANNA HAUGEN

Sr VP Sales

JOHN ALMAVIVA

VP Operations

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