Forgive me, but I never got around to editing my photos.
I haven’t been able to find much information on the Wilbur Chocolate Company online, and I refuse to shell out for a book about the company. So, I’m going to go with what I personally know about the place.
Wilbur’s Chocolate Co. has a factory in Lititz, PA. Until I started researching the company, I thought that this factory was the only one in existence. It’s convenient, if a bit disturbing, how many candy companies exist in our little section of Pennsylvania. You have Wilbur’s- which produces the best chocolate en masse in the United States, the Twizzler factory, and Hershey’s- which produces the most popular chocolate in the United States. BTW, Hershey’s original factory was right here in Lancaster, but that’s another post altogether.
In addition to actually making the chocolate, the factory houses a miniscule chocolate museum, only part of which is devoted strictly to Wilbur’s chocolate, and a shop- which was too crowded to get a picture of.
I took a lot of pictures of their display pieces, but because they’re behind plexiglass, most didn’t turn out very well. I love that venetian chocolate mask, though, so I had to include it.
Also behind the plexi-glass is a troupe of women making these designer treats in full view of anyone who’s interested. I asked if I could take a picture of them and the one I asked responded with (now this is from memory, so it may not be totally accurate) “If you want. We’re done though. We’re cleaning up now.”
Maybe not the friendliest, but she seemed more confused as to why I’d want a picture than upset at having her picture taken. As you can tell by lack of photo- it didn’t turn out well.
Also, after the first flash, 3 of the women who had not heard me ask panicked and searched for the source of the light. When the other woman explained it to them, they also had “WTF” expressions on their faces. It was kind of funny, actually.
Did you know that Wilbur’s invented the Kiss? It’s called a “bud”. Wilbur’s invented it first, and Hershey copied it, adding his own design.
The Wilbur’s Buds are slightly more rounded, do not have the curly cue at the top, but do have a sort of swirled pattern on the bottom. Hershey made his flat on the bottom, more conical, and added the curly-cue. Wilbur’s is also creamier and richer- a fact that hubby and I argue about constantly even after a special on tv that talked about how Hershey created his chocolate to be more bitter and so on. I have proof! And he’s wrong! Aaaaanyway.
Wilbur’s Chocolate factory is located along Route 501, just off the Lititz Square (where Main Street meets 501), and is right next to the Lititz Park. Parking is atrocious, so I recommend parking in the park’s parking lot unless the weather is foul (then park across the street in the flower shop’s lot).
My personal recommendations? Wilbur’s Buds, or Wilbur’s Almond Bark. Or better yet. Do what I did, and ask for the chocolatier chocolate and make your own at home.
Entries (RSS)
I love almond bark. Looks like they do some cool work. Glad to see you back in the MTM fold this week.
I’ve been to Hershey but not here. Lovely photos. You guys are all photographers.
Wilbur’s buds were my grandfather’s favorite candy!
Hershey’s gets all the credit! Interesting how different chocolate company’s products taste so different! We have Malley’s and Harry London in NE Ohio, plus some smaller guys.
I love Wilbur’s CJ & T sent me some buds a few years back and they were smooth and melty!
I’ve become a chocolate snob. Hershey’s is too waxy and tasteless. I prefer Ghirardeli (sp?) or other fine chocolates.
Haven’t been to HP since the 10th grade (class trip).
Pretzles, chocolate, lattes . . . I’d get fat in Lititz!
Denver seems sort of boring and chain-branded blah in comparison.
Ok, this is weird. I left a response before this- what the heck happened to it?
Travis- Thanks very much! And I looove almond bark.
Patinase- Hershey’s fun to visit. I love the ride/tour, and hubby and I often make a date of the ride and 3D show.
CJ- It’s one of dad’s too.
Debra- My husband swears by Hershey’s. It’s a leading cause of arguments for us. Then again, he’s also a Coke fan. There’s no accounting for taste.
Darcie- Dangit! Buds! I knew drops was wrong, but I couldn’t remember the name.
I corrected it in the post- thanks. 
The only Hershey’s that I choose on purpose is Hershey’s with almonds- the little bars. They have more almonds in the chocolate than other companies, and even than the big king size bars. Otherwise, I choose just about anyone else. In fact, I’ve been getting these funky, organic chocolate bars at Rhubarb’s. Chocolate with lavender and blueberry? The lavender is really strong.
You know, I’ll eat just about any chocolate, thank you very much! But those buds were much better than I thought they’d be — really creamy.
Darcie — Denver doesn’t have variety??? For cryin’ out loud with all those people you’d think somebody would break out of the mold! Ha ha. What do you think of the coffee at Peaberry’s? Reminded me of Starbucks.
All Wilbur’s is creamy… Yummmmm
I have to admit, though. Darcie’s right- Lititz does have a lot of variety for such a small place. Ideally, I’d like to live in Neffsville- right next to all the amenities in both Lancaster and Lititz. And near Manheim as well, for easy access to my family.
And hey- they have a Starbuck’s AND the Bucks County Coffee sharing the same parking lot. Along with a McD’s, Pretzel Factory, and some sort of bread company- plus the Giant had a great bakery section.
Man, that explains so much about why I struggle to lose weight.