Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog

33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #1

  Patsy’s Candies in Colorado Springs 

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Wanting something to do in Colorado Springs when the weather won’t cooperate with other activities?  How about a visit to Patsy’s Candies with its intoxicating chocolate aromas?  It’s located at 1540 S. 21st, Colorado Springs, CO  80904.  They even offer tours of the factory and what a glorious place it is.

It all started in 1903 when Patsy Mahenney of Terre Haute, IN decided to bring his confectionery business to Manitou Springs after supposedly losing one of his recipes in a poker game. The winners named their company Cracker Jack and started mass producing this recipe and adding peanuts.

He started his business in front of the Manitou Springs Soda Pavilion and relocated to its present location around 1920.  It’s still there along with the store and factory on 21st St.  At one time they even had a location in downtown Colorado Springs.  Patsy sold his business to the Osborn’s in the 1920’s and it was again sold in 1956 to the Niswonger family where it’s still operated as a family business. 

Patsy’s is know for their wonderful confections which include 50 varieties of decadent chocolate, 16 flavors of gelato and many varieties of popcorn along with peanut brittle and even some no-sugar options.  Of course, no visit would be complete without some homemade salt water taffy. 

Along with purchasing some of these yummy treats, call ahead and see when their offering free tours of the factory.  They still use some of the machines from the early days.  If you love chocolate you’ll feel like you’re in heaven.

If you can’t make it there in person, go to their website and place your order.  They ship anywhere (of course, no gelato can be shipped).  Do you have an interesting story about Patsys?  Leave us your story.

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To find out more information about buying a  home in Colorado Springs, call ….

• Kathy (719-287-1049)    KTorline@msn.

Tags: chocolate treats, downtown colorado springs, manitou springs soda pavilion, patsy's

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Attractions & Activities, Colorado Springs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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