San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19
MRS. ELIZABETH DYER, OF Show
hogan, Me.

One couldn't get much farther FROM
Hollywood, Cal, than Showhegan,
Me-. and still be in the United States
Yet in this town Of 5400 people. Mrs.
Elizabeth Dyer has accomplished 20
some extent the same things Betty
Bolton has in Hollywood, as already
told in these rOmances. She has
monetized the common craving for
homemade candy, and has taught
Skowhegan to climb three flights OF
stairs to get it. Ridiculous, you say2
People wouldn't take that trouble
when there are undoubtedly other
candy stores in town. Yes, to be sure,
other stores. But there is such 4
thing as an individual following.
In 1916 Mr.. Dyer was taken i'll. and
his wife faced the prevalent prob
lem of living. lie was i'll lons
time, and died-but 20 go back: One
day Mrs. Dyer saw an advertisement
of a little school of candy-making.
She had always enjoyed making cou-
fections, and she answered the ad:
then, as the lessons progressed, she
discovered that connecting delicious
sweetmeats was the most delightful
and natural task in the world for her.
Surely, she had been made for just
this work. And not long after she
went into the candy business in earn
est.
Original capital? None" she
says. The start was financed by an
initial purchase of five pounds of coat
ing chocolate, the other materials be-
ing in my kitchen. My first sales
were secured from the division OF one
sample chocolate peppermint into
three parts, an order following"
Romance? Wen say so. Mrs.
Dyer's future hung upon that tri-
sected peppermint.
My first years business she
continues, "was only such as 1 was
able TO pick IN through orders for
candy to be delivered. 1t constantly
increased, but delivering in offices
was too hard and heavy"
Mrs. Dyer's first candy kitchen was
up three flights of stairs in an I'M
assuming building. Her work room,
her sales, room, her display room and
her kitchen were one and the same.
There was only a modest sign over
the door, elizabeth Dyer's Candy
Kitchen" and yet when anyone dis
covered her. he never failed TO come
back and climb the three flights
second time.
The present kitchen is in the same
building, up one flight, with the sales
and the work rooms separate. although
patrons are still welcomed in the
work room.
Il never change my quality Mrs.
Dyer tells me. Il secure the best
materials possible. never substituting
something Just as good make
every effort to please the public.
My business is closed from early
in July TO the tenth of September.
partly due to heat, which. with my ia
cilities, makes il difficult to handle
chocolate. Another reason is my own
need of n rest after ten strenuous
months. / have one agency in Water
vile, and that finds no fault in wait
ing until early fall to take my candies
on again.
Il am about 40, and have never felt
that / had strength sufficient TO make
too great a venture. But my pres
ent business is sufficient remuneration
enough for my modest needs, and lit
tie besides; also il treasures me as TO
the future.
AT one time" she adds. "a pack
age of candy was shipped, without my
knowledge, in trunk routed TO Paris.
1t had no extra protection. not even
a sheet of waxed paper. The pack
age was mis-sent in England, and fin
ally reached Paris after six weeks.
in first class condition. Yes, our
candy has gone 10 England many
times. and to China and the Azores
\ charming romance for women
this candy one.