Corporate Office HQ

Gifts

Always Christmas Corporate Office

Founded in 1991 by husband and wife team Boyd and Loretta Aldridge, Always Christmas at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, Michigan, started off as a small seasonal only Christmas store. The company expanded until they completely filled a 90,000 square foot building.

In late 2014, the company sold their large building to Woodside Bible Church, who had plans to turn it into an 800 seat church/auditorium. The Always Christmas store moved to a more modest 10,000 square foot building next door. The owners state that they intend to expand their company again, although no actual date was set. Expansion plans include a small wedding chapel, as well as expanding the store another 7,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Always Christmas is open all year and is an authorized seller of many collectible Christmas items including Hallmark and Department 56.

Always Christmas

Founded in 1991 by husband and wife team Boyd and Loretta Aldridge, Always Christmas at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, Michigan, started off as a small seasonal only Christmas store. The company expanded until they completely filled a 90,000 square foot building.

In late 2014, the company sold their large building to Woodside Bible Church, who had plans to turn it into an 800 seat church/auditorium. The Always Christmas store moved to a more modest 10,000 square foot building next door. The owners state that they intend to expand their company again, although no actual date was set. Expansion plans include a small wedding chapel, as well as expanding the store another 7,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Always Christmas is open all year and is an authorized seller of many collectible Christmas items including Hallmark and Department 56.

History

Family Christian Stores Corporate Office

Family Christian was founded in 1931 in a farmhouse in Grandville, Michigan. Two brothers, Bernie and Pat Zondervan, created Zondervan Publishing, which printed Christian tracts, then later, books and other Christian materials.

The company was a division of Zondervan Publishing until 1993 when the company split itself into two separate companies. Originally called Family Bookstores, the company changed its name to Family Christian Stores to better reflect their values and merchandise. The company says that 100 percent of their profits go to charities benefiting orphans and widows. The US federal government granted the company 501 c status om 2012, which marks it as a non-profit organization.

Today, Family Christian Stores has 281 locations, as well as an online store. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2015.

 

Family Christian Stores

Family Christian was founded in 1931 in a farmhouse in Grandville, Michigan. Two brothers, Bernie and Pat Zondervan, created Zondervan Publishing, which printed Christian tracts, then later, books and other Christian materials.

The company was a division of Zondervan Publishing until 1993 when the company split itself into two separate companies. Originally called Family Bookstores, the company changed its name to Family Christian Stores to better reflect their values and merchandise. The company says that 100 percent of their profits go to charities benefiting orphans and widows. The US federal government granted the company 501 c status om 2012, which marks it as a non-profit organization.

Today, Family Christian Stores has 281 locations, as well as an online store. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2015.

History

 

Vermont Country Store Corporate Office

Vermont Country Store opened in Weston, Vermont, in 1946 by Vrest and Mildred Orton. The company is still owned by the Orton family. The original store was a type of general merchandise store, with a holiday catalog mailed out to local customers. The first catalog had 12 pages and featured 36 items. By 1948, there was also a spring and summer time catalog offered to customers.

Today, the company has two locations, and an online store. After being featured in an edition of The Saturday Evening Post, the company gained national attention. The second location, in Rockingham, Vermont, features an old time mill, a mill pond, and a restored covered bridge. The company opened a restaurant, The Bryant House, next door to the original location in 1960.

Vermont Country Stores offer a wide variety of gifts, clothing, candy, and food items, many made from local Vermont farmers or crafters. Mail orders are still accepted, with office in Manchester, Vermont.

Vermont Country Store

Vermont Country Store opened in Weston, Vermont, in 1946 by Vrest and Mildred Orton. The company is still owned by the Orton family. The original store was a type of general merchandise store, with a holiday catalog mailed out to local customers. The first catalog had 12 pages and featured 36 items. By 1948, there was also a spring and summer time catalog offered to customers.

Today, the company has two locations, and an online store. After being featured in an edition of The Saturday Evening Post, the company gained national attention. The second location, in Rockingham, Vermont, features an old time mill, a mill pond, and a restored covered bridge. The company opened a restaurant, The Bryant House, next door to the original location in 1960.

Vermont Country Stores offer a wide variety of gifts, clothing, candy, and food items, many made from local Vermont farmers or crafters. Mail orders are still accepted, with office in Manchester, Vermont.

History

Purdy’s Chocolates Corporate Office

Purdy’s Chocolates was founded in 1907  after the death of Richard Purdy’s wife. He sold his barbershop business in Ontairo, and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to start over. He decided to try to make a business out of his lifelong love of chocolate and candy. Purdy sold his first chocolate candies on the street, near his home. He opened his first location in 1907.

Today, the company is one of the largest candy makers in Canada. The company has an online store that ships worldwide, as well as 33 stores in Alberta and British Columbia. Up until 1980, the company only made dark chocolates, but now offers a wide range of milk chocolates.

In the early part of the 1990’s, Purdy’s introduced their “Hedgehog” line of chocolate candies,which has become their biggest selling item. The company was family owned until a family dispute lead to the sale of the company to Eric Wilson and Charles Flavelle in 1963.

Purdy's Chocolates

Purdy’s Chocolates was founded in 1907  after the death of Richard Purdy’s wife. He sold his barbershop business in Ontairo, and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to start over. He decided to try to make a business out of his lifelong love of chocolate and candy. Purdy sold his first chocolate candies on the street, near his home. He opened his first location in 1907.

Today, the company is one of the largest candy makers in Canada. The company has an online store that ships worldwide, as well as 33 stores in Alberta and British Columbia. Up until 1980, the company only made dark chocolates, but now offers a wide range of milk chocolates.

In the early part of the 1990’s, Purdy’s introduced their “Hedgehog” line of chocolate candies,which has become their biggest selling item. The company was family owned until a family dispute lead to the sale of the company to Eric Wilson and Charles Flavelle in 1963.

History

Russell Stover Candies Corporate Office

Russell Stover was founded in 1921, but not as a candy store. Russell Stover and partner Christian Nelson actually created the first chocolate covered ice cream, known as Eskimo Pies. While extremely successful, other companies began making their own versions of Eskimo Pie. Stover sold his share in the company and moved to Colorado. Russell and his wife Clara used this money to start a new business, selling boxed chocolates.

Today, Russell Stover’s Candies is owned by Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprugli. The company is one of America’s leading brand of chocolates, only behind Mars and Hershey’s. The company has three brands; Whitman’s, Russell Stovers, and Pangburn’s. Russell Stover brand candies are the largest sold, with more than 70,000 wholesale locations in more than 20 countries.

Approximately 60 percent of all boxed chocolates sold in the US come from the Russell Stover brand. The company also sells online and offers sugar free candy, as well as gift sets.

Russell Stovers

Russell Stover was founded in 1921, but not as a candy store. Russell Stover and partner Christian Nelson actually created the first chocolate covered ice cream, known as Eskimo Pies. While extremely successful, other companies began making their own versions of Eskimo Pie. Stover sold his share in the company and moved to Colorado. Russell and his wife Clara used this money to start a new business, selling boxed chocolates.

Today, Russell Stover’s Candies is owned by Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprugli. The company is one of America’s leading brand of chocolates, only behind Mars and Hershey’s. The company has three brands; Whitman’s, Russell Stovers, and Pangburn’s. Russell Stover brand candies are the largest sold, with more than 70,000 wholesale locations in more than 20 countries.

Approximately 60 percent of all boxed chocolates sold in the US come from the Russell Stover brand. The company also sells online and offers sugar free candy, as well as gift sets.

History