[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING HAVEN'S CANDIES

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, as today is Valentine's Day--a day 
when everyone deserves to enjoy at least a little chocolate--I commend 
a small chocolatier from my home State of Maine that has produced 
quality chocolates and candies for nearly a century. Haven's Candies of 
Westbrook is an innovative candy factory that sells a wide variety of 
chocolate favorites in addition to both traditional and original Maine 
treats.
  The early history of Haven's Candies has an element of romance to it. 
Herbert Haven, the company's founder, followed his sweetheart from 
Boston, MA, to Portland, ME, in the early 1900s. They were soon 
married, and Herbert, who was the son of a candy maker, teamed up with 
his wife to produce handcrafted candies in their kitchen, which they 
began selling from the front parlor of their house in 1915. From this 
humble start, Haven's Candies has grown to become a well-known name in 
candy making. The company now has a factory and store in Westbrook, as 
well as retail locations in Windham and Portland, one block from the 
house where Haven's began. And as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am particularly 
pleased that the U.S. Small Business Administration has been able to 
help Haven's over the years through financing and other assistance.
  Using time-tested methods, Haven's still handcrafts its candies. 
Haven's offers customers an extensive array of exquisite goods, 
including homemade fudge, marzipan, jumbo peanut butter cups, and 
buttercrunch toffee. The company also produces a varied selection of 
sugar-free candies, including peanut brittle and cashew turtles. Some 
of the Maine-themed candies sold at Haven's include the needham, a 
chocolate with a soft potato, coconut, and vanilla center, and 
delicious blueberry creams, celebrating Maine's rich heritage of 
blueberry harvesting. Perhaps Haven's most impressive production is its 
salt water taffy. Made by hand, its dozens of unique flavors include 
creamsicle, maple, and watermelon. Haven's salt water taffy has 
attracted significant attention, and retailers of the candy include 
Maine's own L. L. Bean.
  Haven's production methods allow for the romantic in all of us to 
surprise our sweethearts any day of the week. The company can make 
monogrammed chocolates and offers personalized packaging to create 
anyone's favorite combination of sweets. For Valentine's Day, Haven's 
offers chocolate-dipped strawberries, fancy hearts filled with a mix of 
chocolates, and the unique Valentine party tray, which includes a great 
variety of chocolates surrounding a heart-shaped tray filled with mixed 
nuts. Haven's also makes assorted holiday gifts for other occasions, 
including Easter and Father's Day. The company holds a free open house 
every Columbus Day when children can make their own candy at the 
factory. Additionally, Haven's raises funds annually for the Center for 
Grieving Children by hosting ``make your own candy cane'' events.
  On Valentine's Day, we take the opportunity to enjoy the sweeter side 
of life. Luckily for the employees of Haven's Candies, they get to 
enjoy it every day! Not only is the candy they produce scrumptious, but 
their work ethic is exemplary, and their dedication to putting smiles 
on the faces of children of all ages is commendable. I congratulate 
owner Andy Charles and everyone at Haven's who continue to make 
delectable candies nearly 100 years after this company's remarkable 
inception and wish them future success.

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