History of the Idle Isle
Established in May of 1921, in the
small town of Brigham City, Utah, the Idle Isle first opened as an
ice cream and candy store.
Original founders, Percy and
Verabel Knudson, invited Vera's brother and his wife, David
and LaRita Call, to join them in a partnership that
successfully added homemade soups and sandwiches to the
offerings of the store. The business then evolved into a
full service restaurant which operated in conjunction with
the candy operation. The Knudsons focused on the restaurant
side of the business while the Calls focused on the candy
and ice cream side.
Mr. Call developed some 40+
candy recipes
that were to be the backbone of
the success of Idle
Isle Candy Company, while LaRita was integral to
the production
of hand-dipped chocolates.
In 1994, after some 25 years of
working with both the Knudsons and the Calls, and having
purchased their interests in the business, current owners
(since 1974), Richard VanDyke, a grandson of the
Knudsons, and his
wife, Shari,
sold the restaurant to dedicate full time efforts to expand and develop
the candy business.
In 2004 a new building was purchased and remodeled to
facilitate expansion of both the sales and production areas
of the business. Located just across the street from the
Cafe, the new candy store has the outside look and the
inside feel of a 1920's candy store.
Many of the unique creations and
offerings of the old-time Idle Isle, which were
discontinued, are now back on the shelves, as well as new
products not often found today.