The History of Cherry Mash
A family legacy carries on for a local candy plant in Saint Joseph, MO.
The Chase Candy Company was founded in 1876 by George Washington Chase. This led to the invention of Cherry Mash created by Chase’s son, Ernest, in 1918 at the second street plant in Saint Joseph, MO.
The classic candy is made with a cherry center mashed with real maraschino cherries then covered with chopped peanuts and coated in milk chocolate. It is still unknown as to how Cherry Mash received its name.
When Cherry Mash’s were first introduced to the public they were four ounces and displayed bare in a box. Today when you buy a Cherry Mash you have the option of buying a mini bag that weighs around 12 ounces or one original that weighs two ounces.
CEO of Cherry Mash, Barry Yantis says that it is the third oldest candy bar in the country.
“It’s the first candy bar manufactured west of the Mississippi,” Yantis said. “That used to be a big deal, it isn’t mentioned very much anymore but it’s the best selling cherry candy bar in the country.”
In 1922, A four-story plant was built in downtown Saint Joseph, MO that employed 400 people. The plant was so large that one entire floor was created specifically for chocolate dipping.
Since the creation of Cherry Mash in 1918, not much has changed.
“We haven’t changed anything since about 19, the late 1920s. So we’re going on nine years with the same formula, the same coating, the same rapper.” Yantis said. “I’ve got a rapper at the company on the wall from 1930, and it looks almost exactly like the one we have now.”
The “Candy Cop,” is Chase Candy Companies mascot and is featured on the candy wrappers which have been red and white since 1930.
Chase Candy has made over 500 candies but Cherry Mash has been the most popular because of its traditional wrappings.
In the 1930s candy companies were hit especially hard because of the great depression. Sales and production of candies had to decrease in order for Chase Candy to stay afloat.
Times continued to take a toll on the candy industry but Chase Candy found a way to survive it all.
In the 1940s, during World War II, the plant was sold to F.S. Yantis and Company.
Sugar was being rationed but F.S. Yantis and Company had also invested in many Pepsi bottling companies. This aided in keeping Chase Candy from suspending production because pop companies were given more sugar.
Not only was the company taken over by new owners but many employees of the Chase Candy Company joined forces to fight in World War II.
“Over 80 employees joined the armed forces, including one lady,” Yantis said. “Which was, in those days, just not done. But the lady joined the waves. She was a Marine nurse.”
In the years to come, Cherry Mash advanced well in Missouri.
From the years 1994–2002, the mayor of Saint Joseph, MO, Larry Stobbs, correlated with Chase Candy Company to enhance its connection with the community.
Since 1981, the Holiday park at Krug Park has been a staple for a drive-thru wonderland during Christmas time.
Seeing an opportunity to expand Chase Candy Companies outreach while supporting a local candy company, Stobbs asked if Cherry Mashes could be passed out to those participating in the holiday park.
Chase Candy Company agreed as long as they would pay for the Cherry Mashes.
This tradition has been carried out every year since.
Cherry Mashes are given at the end of the tunnel at Krug Park if a donation is given. The donations go towards the Optimist club fundraiser.
Yantis said that although the Optimist club doesn’t get a discount on their Cherry Mashes for their fundraiser it makes for great public relations.
“People mention it all the time, they went through Krug Park and got a mini-mash,” Yantis said. “They look forward to that every year.”
Cherry mash has been a part of the community in the past with appearances at parades like the Apple Blossom in 1948. Chase Candy Company hasn’t been a part of parades for a few years but does allow floats to toss mini Cherry Mashes with permission.
“It really is sort of dangerous with all the children around, you know they’ll run-up to the float, and it’s really a little bit dangerous,” Yantis said.
In 2005, a new plant was built on Mitchell Avenue with the purpose of manifesting the production Cherry Mashes.
For an average eight hour day, there are around 48,800 Cherry mashes in production.
This candy bar has expanded outside of Saint Joseph, MO but remains in the midwest, selling from Minnesota to Texas, etc.
Cherry Mash is sold nationwide through Hobby Lobby stores if you have a hankering for a hometown classic cherry candy bar.
Today the Chase Candy plant can still be found on Mitchell Avenue in Saint Joseph, MO.
