Our Story

Across the country the Vande Walle name is synonymous with award-winning chocolates, caramels, and their exquisite angelfood candy.  Originally founded by Don and Norma Vande Walle and their sons, their family business employs 40 people year round, and up to 50 during the holidays. Today the family business is owned and operated by Don Jr., Steve, and Tom Vande Walle.  The entire Vande Walle family and team of skilled candy makers are dedicated to making chocolates and confections of uncompromising quality.

The Vande Walle family has a long tradition of baking and candy making, beginning in Grandma Vande Walle's kitchen almost 100 years ago.  Don Sr. continued the tradition and soon he and Norma were creating delectable treats for their growing family (and very lucky friends!).  Everything was always made from scratch and irresistible.  Norma also had a gift for producing exceptional baked goods and had often mused aloud, "Wouldn't it be fun to have a bakery?"

Her dream came true in 1974 with their purchase of the Mehlberg Bakery in Shawano, Wisconsin.  Alongside a full line of baked goods, the Vande Walles began selling their time-tested candies - the first of which was Grandma Vande Walle's popcorn balls.  The demand for Vande Walle's candies soon outpaced the space available in the bakery, leading to the 1987 construction of their current manufacturing and retail facility in Appleton.

Today, the Vande Walles offer over 95 varieties of fine chocolates and confections, along with a line of sugar-free candies, award-winning bakery, and Vande Walle's premium quality ice cream.  The secret family recipes developed and handed down over the years are still used, each batch of candy is still cooked the old-fashioned way in copper kettles, and all Vande Walle products are made right at the store using time-tested methods and only the finest ingredients.

Much attention and dedication has been put into ensuring that Vande Walle's chocolates and confections are the absolute best.  The Vande Walle's look forward to sharing their family legacy with you - and becoming a part of your family tradition.