See’s Candies Celebrating Centennial Anniversary After Starting in Pasadena 100 Years Ago

See’s Candies, the famous candy company that started in Pasadena in 1921 and in 1972 was purchased by billionaire Warren Buffet, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month by launching a new celebratory flavor: Birthday Cake – golden vanilla buttercream draped in rich white chocolate then topped with a dash of rainbow candy sprinkles. 

The launch also honors the founder, Mary See, in her birthday month, a See’s Candies statement said Wednesday. 

Along with the Birthday Cake candy launch, See’s Candies is also offering a Deal of the Day promotion from Sept. 10-18. Customers are encouraged to check online or head into a shop each day to learn more about the sweet deals, the company said. 

“There would be no See’s Candies without Mary See, so it only seemed right that our September Sweet-of-the-Month honors her legacy,” said Pat Egan, See’s Candies president and CEO. “Of course, the new piece is made with only the finest and freshest ingredients, just as Mary would have ensured.”

Mary See was born in 1854 and came to Pasadena from Ontario, Canada around 1919, after the death of her husband, Alexander See. Her son, Charles, asked Mary to move to California, where he had planned to start his own candy company selling sweets from his mother’s recipes. 

Up to today, some of See’s Candies treats are still made using Mary See’s own original recipes, including Peanut Brittle, Victoria Toffee and Chocolate Walnut Fudge.

“The Birthday Cake piece is so tremendously good, and I can’t wait for our customers to try them,” Egan continued. “The piece demonstrates the artisanship of our candy makers who still make our favorites every day and who are now adding truly great pieces to our mix. Staying true to our motto of Quality Without Compromise when introducing new pieces shows that See’s has a great future ahead.”

See’s Candies became part of Berkshire Hathaway in January 1972, when Buffett and Charlie Munger of Pasadena purchased the company. To this day, See’s is one of Buffett’s favorite businesses, and he shows this by enjoying his favorite – See’s Candies Peanut Brittle – in front of thousands of shareholders at every annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting.  

Today, customers can choose from more than 100 different candies and chocolates, whether shopping online or visiting one of See’s iconic black-and-white checkered shops. 

Now headquartered in San Francisco, See’s Candies in Pasadena is located at 3641 E. Foothill Blvd., one of over 245 shops the company operates throughout the U.S. 

For more information, visit www.sees.com or call (626) 351-0121.