A quote from Charles M. Schulz (creator of Peanuts) says “All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” If you’re lucky enough to live in the River Valley with the presence of two Kopper Kettle Candies locations, a “little chocolate” easily turns into “a lot of chocolate”.  For nearly 65 years, the Greer family has called our area home, and chocolate lovers for generations have reaped the benefit.

The Kopper Kettle patriarch, M.L. Greer, began his career making candies in 1925 and continued after marrying his wife Betty in 1938, working together to curate the confections. After a family trip from Fort Worth to Mountain Home in 1956, M.L. and Betty Greer made a stop along Hwy 64 between Van Buren and Alma and discovered a vacant building, perfect for a candy store. Once before a restaurant, the building had mostly sat vacant since being built during World War 2. Learning no such similar business existed in the River Valley played an important role in the Greer family making the move so they purchased the building from then-owner Claude Meadors and have been satisfying taste buds across the country for now four generations.

Like many family-owned businesses of the time, the Greers made their family home on the property with the store, where they first made brittles, hard candies and few chocolates. M.L. passed away in 1978, six years after I-40 opened, sending most travelers on routes away from the store. Their son, Tommy, along with his wife Berry Ann, took over the store and in 1982 added a second location in Fort Smith. The second store temporarily lived in two other locations before settling in the Green Pointe Shopping Center on Rogers Avenue. Tommy and Berry Ann enjoy having two stores in the area, noting how the stores compliment each other and add convenience for Fort Smith residents.

Over the years, local businesses have also established relationships with Kopper Kettle, sending candy to vendors and clients during the holiday season. Tommy takes pride in that while businesses could outsource gifts elsewhere, they continue to choose a local provider, giving national partners a delightful taste of Arkansas. Tommy explained that they also, for a time period, sold tubs of peanut brittle in Sam’s Club stores across the country. During that partnership, the Kettle staff would work two shifts each day, packing somewhere between 600lbs. and 1,000lbs. of brittle per day.

Holidays and special offerings keep customers entering Kopper Kettle throughout the year. Busy seasons include Valentine’s Day, chocolate covered strawberries (offered on select days in April and May), karamel apples in the fall, and of course Christmas with tins and bark trays traveling between office and family gatherings. On Valentine’s Day, loved ones line up to purchase a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates, or bring in a previously used box for a refill from year to year. Tommy mentions that one gentleman has gifted his wife chocolates from the same heart-shaped box for 62 years!  

Though they’ve received much local and national recognition for their candies, Tommy firmly says, “the main thing is that people in this area are happy. Happy with our quality product and their experiences in our stores. As long as our customers are happy, we’re here.” He continues to say that it’s this trust from the Kopper Kettle customers that encourages he and Berry Ann to give back when able to, helping with fundraisers for many local organizations.

On April 22, 1958, M.L. joined Kopper Kettle Candies as a member of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, where they remain as such today. Tommy and Berry Ann believe that joining the chamber is a responsibility of a local business owner. They know the importance of being part of the community if that community is where you do business. And they also trust in the chamber community; that being a member provides a reputation which goes alongside as a business you know to be reliable and of high quality.

And although he has been part of the candy industry most his life, Tommy still enjoys the offerings at Kopper Kettle. His favorite candy is their Ozarkies – a light vanilla cream center covered in either rich milk chocolate or dark vanilla chocolate, and pecans.

Karamel apples begin soon, available at both stores throughout September and October. The apples come with a variety of toppings, including pecans, almonds, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, toasted coconut, sprinkles, cinnamon, and chocolate swirl.  Kopper Kettle Candies are located at 6300 Alma Hwy. in Van Buren, and 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite #58 in Fort Smith. They are open weekdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. They are also glad to ship orders, which can be processed by calling them at 479-474-6077 (weather permitting).