Canada Day is a time to celebrate the people, families, and businesses that help shape this country. From coast to coast, much of Canada’s story is built on the dreams of those who arrived with a willingness to work hard and a vision for something lasting. Many of the businesses woven into our everyday lives began exactly that way: with one family, one idea, and the courage to build something from the ground up.
Our story is one of those stories. It spans four generations, two continents, and more than a century of confectionery expertise. It is a story about perseverance, family values, and what can happen when opportunity meets determination in a country as full of possibility as Canada.
A Family Tradition Begins in Holland
Our story begins in Northern Holland in 1910, where our family’s roots in the candy business first took shape. Working as candy packers and wholesale peddlers, a small but meaningful business was built, rooted in quality and community. That business, Scholtens Candy, was founded by our great-grandfather.
Even after surviving two world wars in Holland, the craft and values that defined the business were preserved.
These hardships created unique challenges, but taught the Scholtens family firsthand how to endure. A dedication to the trade, traditions, and each other became the strongest legacy we could pass forward to the next generation.
Bringing a Dream to Canada
In 1958, our grandfather made a decision that would change the course of our family’s history. He packed up his candy knowledge, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his family traditions and immigrated to Canada in search of new opportunities.
The Scholtens family arrived during a remarkable period in Canadian history, when newcomers from around the world were helping to rebuild and reshape the country following the Second World War. Canada was growing, and our grandfather recognized that this country was a place where family, business, and opportunity could grow together.
It was the beginning of a new chapter, not just for him, but for every generation of our family that would follow.
Building a Business Across Generations
From one generation to the next, our family continued to build on the foundation that had been established decades earlier. In 2003, Peter’s son Jack Scholtens purchased Cottage Country Candies, carrying our family legacy into an exciting new era.
Our father, Jack, spent his career developing the Scholtens Candy Inc. and Cottage Country brands. The relationships he built with suppliers from across the world and Canadian customers remain a valuable part of the business.
Today, David and Zachary Scholtens carry the torch as the fourth generation of our family to run the business. While the world around us has changed enormously since our great-grandfather was packing candy in Holland, our commitment to quality, service, and family ownership has remained constant.
Growing the business has never meant compromising what makes Cottage Country special. At its heart, we remain a Canadian, family-owned and operated company, built on century-old values that continue to guide every decision we make.
From Coast to Coast, A Truly Canadian Brand
What began as a regional business in Canada has grown into something truly national. Today, we offer more than 200 candies and snacks in thousands of retail locations nationwide, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.
Serving customers and retailers across a country as vast as Canada is no small feat. Scholtens products are packed fresh and delivered through a network of company trucks throughout central Canada, with distribution partners reaching communities from coast to coast.
Along the way, Cottage Country Candy has become part of the fabric of Canadian life. You’ll find our products at cottage stops and convenience stores, hockey tournaments and road trips, family gatherings and community events. For many Canadians, picking up a bag of Cottage Country Candy is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself.
Celebrating Canada Day Through Family, Community, and Opportunity
On Canada Day, we celebrate the generations of families like our own who arrived here with a dream and a desire to build something lasting. We celebrate the small businesses that became community staples, the entrepreneurs who took risks, and the values that endured.
Our family story is a reminder of what is possible when perseverance meets opportunity in a country like Canada. From a small candy operation in Holland to thousands of retail locations across Canada, our journey is a testament to what family, hard work, and a love for what you do can achieve.
This Canada Day, we are grateful for every customer, partner, and community that has made Cottage Country Candy part of their traditions. As we celebrate our past and look toward the future, we thank you for being part of our story.
Happy Canada Day!
