At just 12 years old, a Pennsylvania girl left school after her father passed away and her mother became seriously ill. She took a job dipping chocolates at a local candy shop, never imagining that the skills she learned there would one day support generations of her family.
Years later, during the Great Depression, she returned to chocolate making for a very practical reason. Her husband’s income wasn’t enough, and she needed a way to help pay the bills.
So she began making candy in her own kitchen.
I have a hard time picturing how much determination it took to build a business from such difficult beginnings, especially with a family depending on every sale.
Today, the company is still connected to her descendants, with stores, a chocolate factory, and a fundraising program that reaches communities far beyond its original home.
A Depression-Era Kitchen Gave Us One of the Sweetest Family Stories Around
Back in 1936, money was tight for almost everyone in America. Gertrude had already learned the art of chocolate making under difficult circumstances.
After her father died and her mother became ill, she left school at just 12 years old and took a job dipping chocolates at a local candy shop to help support her family.
She started making chocolates in the kitchen of her family home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, selling her creations locally and helping organizations raise money through chocolate sales.
That kind of growth sounds simple, but it takes serious hustle. Gertrude was cooking, dipping, packing, and selling during one of the hardest stretches in the nation’s history.
Her small project became Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, a name now known far beyond northeastern Pennsylvania. The business grew from that one kitchen into a full candy company with its own factory.
What makes the story land is how ordinary the start was. No big investors showed up with a fancy plan.
A determined woman just made something good and kept making it.
The company has stayed in the Hawk family through the generations. That’s a rare thing in a world where brands get bought and sold like trading cards.
Ninety years is a long run for any business. It’s an even longer run for one that began with a stovetop and a few pans.
Your Nose Will Know You Parked Next to a Chocolate Factory
Most outlet shops sit in strip malls far from where anything gets made. This one sits right next to the factory that turns out the chocolate.
The Gertrude Hawk Chocolates shop in Dunmore shares its neighborhood with the company’s production plant. That closeness is a big part of its charm.
You’ll find the Dunmore store at 909 Keystone Industrial Park Road, Dunmore, PA 18512, beside the company’s chocolate production facilities.
Parking is simple, which matters when you’re carrying more boxes than you planned. And let’s be honest, you will probably carry more boxes than you planned.
The location makes this spot feel a bit like the home base for the brand. Gertrude Hawk has other stores, but this one has the factory right there as its next-door neighbor.
Dunmore sits right beside Scranton in northeastern Pennsylvania. That makes the shop an easy add-on to a day spent exploring the area.
A factory neighbor also means a steady stream of products heading to the shelves. Seasonal items, classic boxes, and discounted treats all find their way here.
It’s not a theme park or a flashy attraction. It’s a real working chocolate operation with a store attached, and that honesty is pretty refreshing.
Tiny Smidgens Have Been Stealing Hearts for Decades
Small candy, big reputation. Smidgens are the bite-sized chocolates that Gertrude Hawk Chocolates is best known for.
The peanut butter version is the headliner here. It pairs smooth milk chocolate with a creamy peanut butter center in a single small bite.
Their size is part of the trick. Each one feels like a polite little snack, so having just one more always sounds reasonable.
Spoiler alert, it never stops at one more. That’s the whole Smidgens experience in a sentence.
Other flavors rotate through the lineup too. Coffee caramel Smidgens have shown up in the Dunmore shop alongside the peanut butter classics.
Many people in Pennsylvania grew up with these in their holiday stockings and Easter baskets. That kind of childhood memory keeps folks coming back as adults.
They also make a smart gift for someone who’s hard to shop for. A box of Smidgens works for a teacher, a neighbor, or a coworker without much thought.
If you’ve never tried them, start with peanut butter. It’s the flavor most tied to the brand, and it’s a solid first impression.
Then branch out and pick a favorite of your own. Comparing flavors counts as research, right?
Slightly Wonky Chocolate Might Be Your New Best Deal
Here’s a fun secret about chocolate factories. Not every piece comes out looking picture perfect.
Some candies end up a little lopsided or slightly off in shape. At the Dunmore outlet, those pieces get a second chance as discounted seconds.
The taste stays the same, even if the looks get a little goofy. Your mouth honestly won’t care if a chocolate is a bit crooked.
This section is a favorite for anyone who loves chocolate but watches their budget. It’s also great for snacking at home, where nobody checks the shape.
The store also carries discontinued items and leftover seasonal treats at reduced prices. After a holiday passes, those bunnies and hearts often move into the discount area.
Full-price, flawless products are available too. So you can grab a pretty gift box and a bag of bargain bites in the same trip.
Here’s a handy tip for planning a visit. Stop by after big holidays if you want the best shot at marked-down seasonal chocolate.
Selection can change, so don’t count on one specific item being there. Go in with an open mind and a flexible sweet tooth.
Think of it like a treasure hunt with snacks. The prize might just be a bag of oddly shaped peanut butter goodness.
The Tent Sale Is Basically a Holiday for Chocolate Lovers
Once a year, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates sets up a tent sale that gets people talking. It’s a big markdown event packed with chocolate deals.
Shoppers can load up on discounted candy in serious amounts. Some people leave with enough chocolate to last for months.
The tent sale shows up as one of the most talked-about features of the Dunmore location. It’s become a bit of a local tradition in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Planning helps if you want to make the most of it. Bring sturdy bags, clear some space in your pantry, and maybe skip lunch.
Dates can shift from year to year. Keep an eye on the company’s announcements so you don’t miss the window.
A smart move is to shop with a list. Holiday gifts, party favors, and office treats can all come from one big trip.
Freezing some chocolate can help it last longer. Just wrap it well so it doesn’t pick up weird freezer smells.
Of course, self-control becomes a real challenge with this much candy in one place. Nobody will judge you for opening a box in the car.
The tent sale turns shopping into an event. It’s part bargain hunt, part tradition, and fully delicious.
Fudge, Dipped Pretzels, and a Few Surprises Fill the Shelves
Smidgens get the spotlight, but they have plenty of company. The Dunmore shop carries fudge, dipped pretzels, and chocolate-covered fruit.
Fudge is a classic for a reason. It’s rich, simple, and pretty much made for sharing, or not sharing.
Chocolate-dipped pretzels bring the salty and sweet combo everyone secretly craves. They’re a great pick for anyone who likes a little crunch with their chocolate.
Milk chocolate eggs show up around Easter and have plenty of fans. Seasonal shapes and novelty items rotate throughout the year.
The shop also stocks sugar-free options for people who need to watch their sugar. That makes it easier for everyone in a family to find something they can enjoy.
Gummy treats have appeared on the shelves too. Kids especially tend to gravitate toward the fun shapes.
The big variety makes this a good spot for building a custom gift. Mix fudge, pretzels, and Smidgens in one bag for a sampler that feels personal.
Browsing slowly is half the fun. You’ll probably notice something new on every pass through the aisles.
Rewards Points Make Every Chocolate Run a Little Smarter
Buying chocolate already feels like a win. Getting rewarded for it feels even better.
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates offers a free rewards program for shoppers. Signing up is quick, and your account links to your phone number.
Points add up as you shop, and they can turn into free treats. There’s even a birthday perk, which seems only fair.
This is handy if you live near Dunmore and stop by often. Regular chocolate runs start working in your favor.
It also helps with holiday shopping. Big gift orders around Christmas or Easter can stack up points fast.
The program doesn’t take any special app skills. Just give your phone number at the register and you’re set.
Here’s a practical tip. Sign up on your very first visit so those early purchases count.
Families who share one account can build points even faster. Just make sure everyone agrees on who gets the free item.
School Fundraisers Put This Chocolate in Countless Kids’ Hands
Plenty of people met Gertrude Hawk through a kid with an order form. The company runs a large fundraising program for schools and groups.
Students sell chocolates to family and neighbors to raise money. That money supports class trips, clubs, teams, and other activities.
Kids can earn prizes for their sales efforts too. That little bonus keeps young sellers motivated.
For many families in Pennsylvania and beyond, fundraiser season is a yearly ritual. Grandparents especially seem happy to buy a box or three.
The program helped spread the brand far outside its home region. A chocolate business founded during the Great Depression grew through partnerships with schools, churches, and community groups, turning fundraising into a lasting part of its success.
If your group needs to raise money, chocolate is an easy sell. People already like it, so the pitch practically writes itself.
A tip for young sellers is to ask early. The first relatives contacted usually place the biggest orders.
Parents can help by sharing the form at work. Just watch out for coworkers who start asking about it every week.
The fundraisers connect the company to communities in a real way. It’s a sweet way to help a school while grabbing a treat for yourself.
Plan Your Visit Around These Easy Shop Hours
Good news for anyone with a busy schedule. The shop keeps hours that make a quick stop pretty easy.
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates in Dunmore opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
On Sundays, the doors open at noon.
Thursday through Saturday, the store stays open until 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, it closes at 7 p.m., and Sundays wrap up at 5 p.m.
Evening hours make it simple to swing by after work. That’s handy when you suddenly remember a birthday tomorrow.
Inside, the store is set up to make browsing easy. Newer merchandise and discounted items each have their own areas.
The weeks before Easter and Christmas tend to get busy. Shopping early in those seasons gives you a better shot at popular items.
Bring a reusable bag if you plan to stock up. Chocolate boxes have a sneaky way of multiplying in your cart.
Northeastern Pennsylvania offers plenty of other stops nearby, from Scranton attractions to scenic drives. A chocolate stop makes a nice sweet finish to any outing.
Ninety years after Gertrude’s first batch, her family’s candy is still here for the taking. That’s a legacy worth tasting at least once.
