On February 14, 2023, the Candy Factory continued its long tradition of selling chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day. The company was founded in 1974 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. The company’s founder Georgia Lundgren was encouraged to start the business by friends and family who enjoyed her candy recipes. She sold the company in 1986 to Columbians, Sam and Donna Atkinson. In 2023, the business is owned and operated by their son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Amy Atkinson. The Candy Factory has been a staple downtown business for decades and is open year round, producing a wide variety of candy and selling Missouri made products.

The northeast corner of 7th and Cherry, the location that the Candy Factory now occupies, was once home to the Coombe Brothers Wagon Shop and Motors. The current building was likely constructed for the Columbia Daily Tribune, which occupied it from 1946-1973. In 1975, the building became the original location of Deja Vu, a bar and music venue that soon morphed into a legendary comedy club. “The Vu” eventually moved to another location downtown. Addison’s Restaurant opened on the first floor of the two story section in 1999 and continues to be another locally-owned downtown favorite today. In 2023, the Candy Factory shop occupies the prominent one story corner section and its kitchen/factory occupies the second floor above Addison’s.

Inspired by the preservation and reuse of a historic building, our group, CoMo Preservation, hopes to help homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic buildings is necessary for Columbia’s residents, students, and visitors to achieve a sense of place and, it follows, for our city’s continued economic success. If you want to join us in our mission sign up for our mailing list to receive news and updates.

Sources:

• Matthews, Mary J. (1978-1979). Historic Inventory of Columbia, Missouri (P0052). Columbia, Missouri: State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Columbia. Access February 14, 2023.

• Feller, Madison (November 11, 2015). Make a stop at The Candy Factory. Columbia, Missouri: Vox Magazine. Accessed February 14, 2023.

• Martin, Jessica Vaughn (September 25, 2020). In Columbia, The Candy Factory sells gourmet goodies you'll want to hide from trick-or-treaters. St. Louis, Missouri: Feast Magazine. Accessed February 14, 2023.

• Slavit, Mark (February 14, 2020). Chocolate covered strawberry tradition continues at Candy Factory. Columbia, Missouri: KRCG 13. Accessed February 14, 2023.

• Long, Amanda (February 9, 2023). A sweet legacy in downtown Columbia. Columbia, Missouri: CoMo Magazine. Accessed February 14, 2023.

• The Candy Factory (2023) Mid-Missouri’s Finest Chocolate Shop: About. thecandyfactoryonline.com. Accessed February 14, 2023.

Do you have ideas for future topics? Interested in writing an entry or sharing a photo? Did you notice an error? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com or leave a comment below.