A visit to The Caramel Tree is like stepping into your inner child’s wildest dreams. Chocolate and caramel coated candies, marshmallows and apples welcome you the moment you step inside. The scent of caramel is like a siren call, drawing you closer to the display cases for a closer look at the sweet treats inside.
Caramel is of course at the center of everything at this local treats shop in Idaho Falls and Rigby, but where are the treats made and why do you need to try them? Idaho Falls Magazine staff visited with Caramel Tree owner Andrew Nelson to learn more about what sets this small business apart from others in the area.
Starting the Business
Nelson had jumped headfirst into the tech industry before trying his hand at running a small business of his own. While working for tech companies, he scouted potential business options, searching for an opportunity that would bring both joy and revenue to his growing family.
When The Caramel Tree went up for sale, Andrew saw the opportunity to return to his hometown and make a product that could be enjoyed throughout Eastern Idaho. Several years later, Andrew has grown the business with a new location in Historic Downtown Idaho Falls.
Manufacturing in Rigby
What don’t you know about The Caramel Tree? Perhaps that all of their products are made in the basement of their Rigby location. The caramel treats aren’t farmed out to other locations for production. They are made right here locally by the owner himself, family members and trusted workers.
Treats are made upstairs by the front lobby before they are brought downstairs to be dipped in chocolate, caramel or both depending on the treat. The items are then sent through the company’s cooling system, allowing the treats to set properly before being wrapped and set on display upstairs or driven to one of their locations in Idaho Falls.
“It’s a lot of work, with hours often falling outside of your typical 9-to-5, but I’ve found the business to be worth it,” Andrew said. He and his family can typically be found in the downstairs shop during the holidays, hard at work coating your favorite treats in caramel and preparing them for pick-up.
Working the Holidays
The Caramel Tree team not only spends long hours preparing treats throughout the year, but they also sacrifice a good deal of time during the holidays to ensure stores remain fully stocked.
“December, of course, is one of our busiest times of year,” Andrew said. “We have someone working downstairs at almost all times and we go through about 10 cauldrons of caramel. One of our favorites is the sea salt crispies, which we are always struggling to keep in stock.”
When asked the hard-hitting question of whether or not he likes caramel, Andrew responded, “I have to love caramel. I learned the business and I love the craft.”
For More Information
The Caramel Tree Locations:
Historic Downtown: 368 A St · 208-932-4930
Idaho Falls: 2289 E 17th St · 208-497-5006
Rigby: 146 E Main St · 208-745-8240
www.thecarameltree.com
To read more of the July issue click here.