I DO!

One day in kindergarten we were all packed into a bus and lead away from San Mateo.

The bus was filled with young children wondering where we could be going on yet another field trip headed by Mrs. Stewart and her aide Mrs. Jackson.

As we sang songs and laughed, the El Camino sped past our windows. Still anxious, we sang with wonder.

When the big bus slowed and swung into an unfamiliar parking lot the inside of the bus went quiet.

Our teacher and aide instructed us to stay with our buddies and follow all instructions. I recall feeling a fear crawling up inside because this building of metal didn't look anything that was going to grant us any fun.

We were ushered off the bus and lead into the gated area. All numbered and accounted for we were then lead inside a large metal door.

What I now know to be a time clock was on the wall, but looked very scary to this 5 year old. The normal noise of street traffic and cars were drowned out by factory machines. And the smell was different, something familiar that I could not recall.

Soon a large man appeared in a white outfit and his hair was covered in a net.

His instructions were to stay clear of the conveyor belts and to not touch anything, not even the CHOCOLATE!

The screams and giggles!!!

If you ever ever wondered what it would feel like to be inside The Willy Wonky Chocolate Factory this was as close as I had ever been.

People with their white outfits on, pushing, pulling, walking, talking writing on clipboards preparing for the See's Candy Store's.

The walls were as high as a 3 story building and white, everything that could be painted white was. And you felt good. Nothing could harm you.

Chocolate everywhere.
Stairs going up, stairs going down.
Vats of this, vats of that.
All with the sweet, wonderful aroma of Candy.

That was my first experience of See's Candy and to my joy not my last.

The factory is still there to this day without the tours.
There is also a See's store outside the factory.
It must be the freshest of all here in the Bay Area. Straight off the conveyor and into the shop, imagine that.
WOW!

The most amazing part of it all is I have the story to tell, not only to other fans of See's Candy but to those at the Store I worked in.

From the day I went into the factory I promised myself I would have that job and I would wear the white dress and black bow tie:-)

I was hired the day I interviewed - due to this story I think;-)
Mrs See's would be proud!

See's Candy is not for everyone's palette but for me it is the best I've tasted so far.

I've many favorites, but they change all the time. California Brittle Dark or Milk is always a must have and the Victorian Toffee.
One year I got an entire 1lb from my Aunt for Christmas:-)
Not sure if that will ever happen again, but I can dream.