Linette Candies

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Linette Candies is a local chocolate candy company especially known for their “Betcha Life” candy bars. They used to be located at the building shown below at 105 Washington Street in Reading. At some point they moved to a larger location in Womelsdorf. According to yellowpages.com;

Linette Quality Chocolates was founded in 1927 as a family-owned seasonal chocolate novelties producer. It is one of the leading manufactures of pure chocolate confections in the United States. The company produces a range of industrial confectionery ingredients that are used as inclusions in various bakery and ice cream products. It packages its products in a variety of innovative styles and pouch bags, foil wrapping, tubs, display shippers and pallet merchandisers. Linette Quality Chocolates packing and manufacturing facilities are spread over a total area of more than 125,000 square feet. Some of its product specialties include seasonal chocolates, chocolate-covered raisins, and dark chocolate mint and peanut butter cups. The company is a part of Ralcorp Holdings since 2000.

Linette Candies
in the 1970s – notice the train tracks used to run up Washington Street
Linette Candies
Linette Candies today
Betcha Life Bar

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Nanette B Merrill
Nanette B Merrill
6 years ago

My mom worked there for a couple years from when I was in 4th grade to 6th grade. She would drive home to the 1200 block of Church St. where we lived to have lunch with me (I went to 5th and Spring). She could only stay a few minutes and then would leave. At that young age I knew it was a sacrifice she was making to be sure I was ok. Sometimes when she would come home from work she’d have a chocolate in her pocket. Not too often but once in a while she would put a candy in that had something wrong with it. What a treat.

David Procter
David Procter
6 years ago

I think it was the son, James Linette, who I used to see at Lincoln’s Restaurant/Bar frequently, circa early 1980s. He would stop in after leaving work. He was a very friendly fellow albeit somewhat quiet and reserved. I only just found out that he died in 2001. I believe that he had health problems; he was three years young than me.

David Procter
David Procter
6 years ago
Reply to  David Procter

I think it was the son, James Linette, who I used to see at Lincoln’s Restaurant/Bar frequently, circa early 1980s. He would stop in after leaving work. He was a very friendly fellow albeit somewhat quiet and reserved. I only just found out that he died in 2001. I believe that he had health problems; he was three years younger than me.

Gary bryfogle
Gary bryfogle
6 years ago

Id love to order a christmas assortment ten times a year!

Linette Robinson
Linette Robinson
5 years ago

I was named after the candy company which was my mom’s favorite. And growing up in central PA I enjoyed their chocolates as far back as I can remember. I always hoped the company would continue to thrive. Linette Robinson

Linette Cruz
Linette Cruz
1 year ago

Me Too! I was named after the company when my Dad saw the chocolates in a Bodega in West Philadelphia… during those times there was no such thing as ultrasounds, but my Dad made up his mind I would be “Linette”. He was in the military so we moved around often after leaving Philadelphia when I was just 2 years old. I did not believe them when they told me the story until we traveled back east for our next assignment and he made a pitstop in Reading! He said “Look Up” and there in the bright neon lights it was “Linette” we were sitting in front of the factory in this picture! Many years later I received a box from a customer… what a “sweet” treat! Linette Cruz

Magdalena Kimmel
Magdalena Kimmel
1 year ago

My mom worked at Linette’s for many years. She loved the job and always said that they treated their employees really well. When they moved from the factory at Front and Washington Streets to the Womelsdorf location she traveled there for several years, until she finally retired at I believe 70. I honestly think she would have continued working had she not developed some health issues.

Linda Giannone
Linda Giannone
1 year ago

I would love to know who everyone was related too. I have been working there since 1989. We have been through so many changes . I miss the time when everyone felt like family!

Pamela Baxter
Pamela Baxter
1 month ago

I miss their peanut butter crispy eggs!


Berks Nostalgia