Chariton / Iowa / United States
Actually, Piper Brothers Grocery opened in Chariton in 1903, just to the northwest of the town square. Only two years later, in 1905, Joe L. Piper bought the Stanley building on the northeast corner of the square where Pipers has been ever since. Joe L. and his family expanded the business to include a bakery and slaughterhouse, and from all accounts it was considered the premiere grocery store in town. The stores early years paint a bustling picture farmers traded their wares for groceries, bread was shipped by train to the surrounding smaller towns, goods were hauled out to the then-thriving mining towns, groceries were delivered several times a day to area homes Pipers was a vital part of the life of this southern Iowa county seat town. Time marches on, of course, and eventually one of Joe L.s sons, Bob, took over the store. He continued to offer the top quality products and excellent customer service that we continue to be known for to this day. In 1947 he and his wife Ruth added one more thing: top quality homemade candy. As it turns out, this was Pipers special destiny to make unforgettably delicious homemade candy! Bob and Ruth developed top-notch candy making skills and we still use the same recipes and techniques they used all those years ago. and in an era of ever bigger and impersonal superstores, they chose to maintain the atmosphere and personal attention of the small town corner grocery store. In 1999, my parents retired ( sort of ) and I became the keeper of the Pipers legacy. The volume of candy has increased over the years and it has now made its way to every continent on Earth. But we still make the candy in small batches, work the chocolates by hand, and take care and pride in every piece made. We are sure you will taste the difference.
