George and Leah Wood had been in the grocery business in the early years of their marriage. Circumstances and events led them to open ice cream and candy stores in Utah in February of 1947. There came a time to decide what they would call this new adventure. George said to Leah, “Momma, would you have ever dreamed when we were newlyweds, in our little honeymoon cottage on Fern Street, near the Sta
te Capitol building, that we would some day be in the Ice Cream and Candy business?” Leah began to reminisce at that point, and replied, “Maybe we ought to call to the business FERNWOOD. Fern Street was mighty sweet, and we hope that is what our business will be, and it surely would be another romantic beginning.” George smiled and then said, “FERNWOOD, hmmmmm, FERNWOOD CANDY. Leah had to move from her home on Fern Street into a small cottage up Emigration Canyon. They sold their furniture to pay for the equipment to get the business up and running. Leah sadly sold her beautiful piano to buy a big be**er for the Utah candy stores. 67 years later Fernwood Candy carries on the “Tradition of Quality” with Dick Wood, son of George and Leah, and his wife, Loraine Wood, still running the business out of their factory in West Valley City, Utah. Fernwood Candy Company is a Utah tradition, known for their handmade candy and famous Utah chocolate. Fernwood’s Mint Sandwiches are world famous and all of Fernwood’s handmade chocolates delight the pallet not only on holidays, but all year round.
