Russell Stover celebrates centennial

Lt. Gov. David Toland recalls efforts to bring Russell Stover to Iola as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary with a Chamber ribbon cutting. "You've got to do hard things right now so that down the road big things can happen."

February 23, 2023 - 3:56 PM

Kansas Lt. Gov and Iola native David Toland, center, and Russell Stover Chocolates Iola plant manager Andy Darley are among the dignitaries cutting a ribbon in honor of the famed candy company’s 100th anniversary. Photo by Vickie Moss

Lt. Gov. David Toland, a native of Iola, recalled efforts to bring Russell Stover Chocolates to the community.

He spoke at a ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon organized by the Iola Chamber of Commerce to recognize Russell Stover’s 100th anniversary. A large crowd of nearly 70 attended the event.

“As we were driving here, I thought back to when I was in high school and the city commission paved what was a gravel road out here. There was a fair amount of grumbling in some quarters. People said it was the Road to Nowhere,” Toland said.

The city’s work to create an industrial site led Russell Stover to locate a plant here in 1995. Having a “shovel ready” site helped Iola compete against other communities.

“Back when it opened, I was here at the groundbreaking. I was in high school and I played in the pep band,” Toland said.

The plant’s opening was soon followed by “a burst of new retail and restaurants” in the vicinity, Toland said.

“You had all these ripples in the pond from Russell Stover and those hard decisions that were made at the local level,” he continued. “So, here we are today.”

The lesson? “You’ve got to do hard things right now so that down the road big things can happen,” said Toland.

Several months ago, Toland traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, to meet with the CEO of Lindt, the company that owns Russell Stover, to discuss the company’s plans for its plants in Iola and Abilene.

At the local level, he commended leaders for efforts to expand housing, which will be necessary for industries to grow.

Kansas Lt. Gov and Iola native David Toland and Russell Stover Chocolates Iola plant manager Andy Darley talk about the company’s history. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register

Kansas Lt. Gov and Iola native David Toland and Russell Stover Chocolates Iola plant manager Andy Darley talk about the company’s history. Photo by Vickie Moss

Russell Stover plant manager Andy Darley talks with Thrive Allen County’s Lisse Regher and Jessica Thompson, and county commissioner Bruce Symes. Photo by Vickie Moss

Mary Ann Magnuson Patterson and Karen Gilpin talk at a ribbon cutting for Russell Stover on Thursday afternoon. Photo by Vickie Moss

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ANDY Darley, plant manager, introduced Toland and briefly talked about the Iola plant’s efforts to celebrate the company’s centennial.

The plant is planning monthly events, from scavenger hunts to polar bear dips to the annual Easter egg hunt.

The Iola plant has also rejoined the Chamber.

IN 1923, Clara and Russell Stover began making candy in the kitchen at their home in Denver. The company initially was known as Mrs. Stover’s Bungalow Candies, according to the company’s website.

The company rapidly grew and all operations were moved to Kansas City in 1932. The name was changed to Russell Stover Candies in 1943.

Russell Stover acquired Whitman’s Candies in 1993; both companies were acquired by Lindt in 2014.