Tag Archives: Spangler Candy Company

Featured Ohio Winery: Leisure Time Winery

Returning from the Spangler Candy Company, I decided to stop in Napoleon, Ohio to visit Leisure Time Winery where “Time for turning moments into memories!” is their motto.  Cruising through the beautiful countryside of northeast Ohio, I was looking forward to sampling a couple of wines and enjoying a Saturday night of live music.

The sun was beginning to set when I arrived and I had a drive ahead of me to reach Columbus.  I wished I would have set out earlier so I could enjoy the outdoor patio, but at least I was able to make it in time for the gorgeous sunset.

I made a stop at the bar to check out the selection of wines and began my tasting with Comfortably Numb, a bold red wine lightly oaked and a perfect balance of acidity.  According to the wine list, this lovely red pairs perfectly well with steak and an assortment of game.

My next sample was Hocus Pocus, a semi dry, perfect blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.  I thought it would be fun to have a couple of bottles in preparation for the upcoming Halloween holiday.

I decided to review the menu and learned that Leisure Time is known for their pizzas.  I wanted something light and ordered the pretzels, a great choice for sampling wine.

The Lazy Daze Riesling was surprisingly delicious.  More sweet than dry, it was perfect and recommended for the summer months.

The staff are super friendly and placed my order for a cheese quesadilla as I decided on my next selection from the 12 wines which are all made on site.  I opted for Comfort Zone, a semi-sweet wine which was so easy to drink.  A sweet blend of chancellor and concord grapes, I could have easily mistaken this generous pour as a glass of grape juice.

I learned that the wines at Leisure Time Winery are made from grape juice that they purchase from various vendors.  The Wine O’ Clock, made from local Niagara grapes, was the best sample I had sipped so far.  I decided to buy a couple of bottles as well as purchased a glass to enjoy while listening to the amazing local, live band.

An hour passed while enjoying the entertainment and the wine, so it was time for me to begin the trek towards Columbus.  I enjoyed my evening at Leisure Time Winery and wished I had lived a little closer so that I could stay a little longer.

Have you visited Leisure Time Winery in Napoleon?  What was your favorite wine selection?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my winery visit and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to Do and What to See:

Leisure Time Winery
16982 Country Road, M2
Napoleon, OH  43545
Telephone:  419 758 3442

Open Wednesday to Friday from 5PM to 9PM and Saturday from 12PM to 9PM.  (Check their website for their summer hours).  They are also open Mondays and Tuesdays for art & painting classes.

The winery is located 2 miles south of State Route 24 between Defiance and Napoleon.  Check out their Facebook page for the most up to date information and hours of operation.

Where to Stay:

Sauder Heritage Inn
22611 OH-2
Archbold, OH 43502
Telephone: 800 590 9755

Where to Eat:

Leisure Time Winery
16982 Country Road, M2
Napoleon, OH  43545
Telephone:  419 758 3442

You don’t have to travel far for good food when visiting Leisure Time Winery. With a full menu, you can order their famous pizzas, paninis, large list of appetizers and desserts.  The Margherita Pizza with jalapenos is my favorite!

Touring the Sweet Spangler Candy Company

I remember as a child I loved Dum Dums suckers and even more, I enjoyed saving the wrappers so I could send them in for some great merchandise.  From frisbees to t-shirts, there were so many exciting options.  But did you know that these amazing candies are made in northwest Ohio?  I set off for Bryan, Ohio to take a tour of the factory and learn more about the history of Spangler Candy Company.

Spangler Candy Company is a private confectioner making Dum Dum suckers, but the company didn’t start out selling confections when they purchased their company in 1906.  Arthur G. Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company and moved the company to Bryan where they made baking powder, laundry starch, baking soda, corn starch and eventually cough syrup. They named their new endeavor, Spangler Manufacturing Company.

Ernest, Arthur’s brother, joined the company in 1908 and suggested that they make candy. By 1911, they were making “Cocoanut Balls” followed by cream peanut clusters which were both a success.

By 1913, they moved the company to its third location, the present day facility at 400 North Portland  and in 1914 Omar joined the company which was now offering chocolates, hard candies, brittle, soda pop, assorted jellies, ice cream cones, sugar sticks and cough drops.

By 1922, Spangler Candy Company was making and selling over 60 different products.

With the tragic, unexpected death of Arthur in 1945, the company becomes a corporation.

By 1943, the company acquires the rights to Dum Dum pops, one of their best selling candies, starting with only seven flavors (lemon, lime, coconut, pineapple, cherry, grape and butterscotch).

Acquisitions continued until Spangler Candy Company broadens its portfolio to include candy canes, whistle pops, Saf-T-Pops and  Circus Peanuts and its most recent acquisition of Necco wafers, Canada Mints and Bit-O-Honey.

Spangler Candy Company created a store and museum which they opened to the public in 2005. The celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2006.  After grabbing a couple of samples, it was time for my behind-the-scenes tour on the Dum Dum trolley.

Boarding the trolley and wearing my protective hair net, I was ready to learn more  about Spangler Candy Company.  Unfortunately, the company does not permit photos of the production of their products, but Larry gave me a thorough tour to see where one of my favorite candies is manufactured.

Clearly the Dum Dum Original Pop is so popular that Spangler makes over 2 million of them each year. One single batch makes 12 – 14,000 Dum Dums and new pops are based on 400 different available flavors.  So what is the Mystery flavor???  This is the combination of the flavor from the last batch and the that of the next batch as the production of one flavor to another runs continuously, mixing the two flavors together.

I was so thrilled to have toured this iconic confectionary and was excited to see the placards outside denoting the additional flavors and the year in which they were created.  Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Which is your favorite Spangler candy?  I would love to hear if you have toured this magnificent candy company and your thoughts about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my experience at Spangler Candy Company and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Spangler Candy Company
400 North Portland Street
PO Box 71
Bryan, OH  43506
Telephone:  419 636 4221
Website: www.spanglercandy.com

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bryan-Montpelier
13399 OH-15
Holiday City, OH 43543
Telephone: 419 485 0008
Website:  www.colonialmanormotel.com

Where to Eat:

Four Seasons
233 South Main Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 636 1818
Website:  https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonsbryan/

Where to Drink:

Father John’s
301 W. Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 633 1313
Website:  https://www.fatherjohnsmicrobrewery.com/

What to Read:

  • A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family, Bryan, Ohio, by William L. Culbertson