Boehm's Candies, Inc.

History and Heritage

Julius Boehm, born in Vienna in 1897 to Austrian and Swiss parents, fled Nazi persecution in 1940 using his mountaineering skills. Arriving in the Pacific Northwest, he opened his first Candy Kitchen in Seattle's Ravenna area in 1942 with partner George Tedlock. Drawing from his grandfather's pastry legacy, Boehm perfected European confections while refining American chocolates. In 1956, he relocated to Issaquah's foothills, where the landscape evoked his homeland. He constructed the Edelweiss Chalet—the Northwest's first Alpine chalet—crafted by Swiss artisan Walter Schefer from Appenzell, complete with Tyrolean seals, Alpine climber murals, fountains, and statuary. The University of Washington's School of Architecture adopted it as an authentic example.

The Chalet and Chapel

The chalet's interior and grounds transport visitors to the Swiss Alps. Before his 1981 passing at age 83, Boehm completed a replica of a 12th-century Swiss chapel as a shrine to mountaineers. Featuring Michelangelo's Creation of Man recreation suspended from the ceiling, a mural of a fallen climber ascending with Christ, and a stone altar, the 40-seat chapel hosts weddings and is viewable on guided tours. Bernard Garbusjuk, who apprenticed under Boehm after German culinary training, acquired the business in 1981. Now marking over 50 years, he oversees production with long-tenured staff and passes the legacy to children Tyson and Narissa.

Craftsmanship and Confections

Producing 400,000 pounds annually on-site, Boehm's offers over 100 varieties by master candy makers. European specialties include Mozart Kugeln, marzipan, and cordial cherries; American favorites feature caramels, English toffee, peanut brittle, and innovative truffles with balsamic vinegar, lavender, or curry spice. Sourcing premium ingredients like Peter's Chocolate, the recipes uphold Boehm's motto: "As High As the Alps in Quality." Over 1,000 local youth have started careers here, fostering community ties through donations, events like Chocolate, Wine, and All That Jazz, and Issaquah Chamber membership.

Visiting Experience

Open daily 9am-6pm (10am Sundays), the shop welcomes over 200,000 travelers yearly along I-90. Summer tours explore the candy kitchen, Boehm's quarters, and grounds; off-season by appointment. High ratings reflect the blend of nostalgia, artistry, and indulgence. Issaquah honored Boehm with proclaimed days in 1978 and 1981, renaming a pool the Julius Boehm Pool. Today, it remains a must-visit for sweets, history, and Alpine ambiance in Washington state's foothills.