Gertrude Hawk Chocolates
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGertrude Hawk Chocolates is a family-founded Pennsylvania chocolate maker and retailer known for boxed chocolates, confections, fundraising programs, and regional chocolate shops.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates is a chocolate company headquartered in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, with roots in the Scranton area. Gertrude Jones Hawk began making and selling candy after entering the confectionery trade as a child following the death of her father. In 1936, she established the business that would become Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, initially producing chocolates in the kitchen of her home in Scranton. The company's early development was closely tied to family participation. After World War II, Gertrude Hawk's son Elmer invested his military service pay in the young business. That capital helped the family acquire mechanical chocolate-making equipment and move beyond small-scale household production. The company also developed a fundraising channel through sales organized by churches and schools in the surrounding area. Fundraising remains an important part of the brand's identity, alongside direct retail sales. A major physical transition occurred in 1959, when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation acquired the Hawk family home for construction associated with Interstate 81. The family purchased land in nearby Dunmore and built a new factory, which opened in 1962. The facility originally included manufacturing space, a full-service restaurant, and a retail area. The restaurant was later converted into a candy shop in 1973, reinforcing the company's combination of production, visitor retail, and local community presence. Gertrude Hawk expanded its corporate infrastructure in 1988 with construction of the Gertrude Hawk Corporate Center. Over time, the business developed several operating divisions and a network of company chocolate shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Its regional footprint has been supported by seasonal chocolate demand, direct-to-consumer retail, and organized fundraising programs. In addition to selling products under its own name, Gertrude Hawk has manufactured chocolate components and inclusions for other food companies. Its business-to-business work has included chocolate pieces and confectionery ingredients used in products associated with companies such as Ben & Jerry's and Turkey Hill Dairy. The company has also supplied chocolate and confectionery products to Frango, The Hershey Company, Nestlé, and Fannie May, according to the referenced company history. In 2008, it collaborated with Turkey Hill on a limited-edition ice cream flavor called Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates, combining Gertrude Hawk-produced chocolate pieces with milk-chocolate-flavored ice cream. The company changed its strategic mix in 2017, when it sold its ingredients division to Barry Callebaut. The transaction transferred the business responsible for producing inclusions for ice cream and other manufacturers to the global chocolate producer. Gertrude Hawk subsequently emphasized its branded retail and fundraising operations and moved production of its branded chocolates into a renovated facility. Leadership has remained closely connected to the Hawk family. Elmer Hawk served as chief executive from 1979 until 1992, when his son David succeeded him. Elmer died in 2013 at age 89. Gertrude Hawk was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2018. The brand remains a regional American chocolate business combining manufacturing, company-owned retail, fundraising sales, and selected commercial confectionery relationships.
History
Gertrude Jones Hawk established the business in 1936 after developing confectionery skills through employment in a candy shop and home production in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The company grew from a small family operation into a mechanized manufacturer after her son Elmer Hawk invested his postwar service pay in equipment. Churches and schools in the region helped expand distribution through fundraising sales, creating a business model that combined chocolate production with community organizations. The family relocated its principal manufacturing operation after the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation acquired Gertrude Hawk's home in 1959 for Interstate 81 bridge construction. The Hawks purchased land in Dunmore and opened a new factory there in 1962. The building included a restaurant and retail space in addition to production facilities. In 1973, the restaurant was converted into a candy shop. The company added the Gertrude Hawk Corporate Center in 1988, strengthening its administrative and operating base. Elmer Hawk became chief executive in 1979 and led the company until 1992, when his son David Hawk took over. During its expansion, Gertrude Hawk operated chocolate shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York and continued developing fundraising sales. The company also served commercial food manufacturers by making chocolate inclusions and other confectionery components. Its reported business relationships included Ben & Jerry's, Turkey Hill Dairy, Frango, The Hershey Company, Nestlé, and Fannie May. A visible consumer collaboration came in February 2008, when Gertrude Hawk and Turkey Hill introduced a limited-edition Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates ice cream flavor. In 2017, Gertrude Hawk sold its ingredients division to Barry Callebaut. The sale altered the company's business mix: Gertrude Hawk concentrated more heavily on its own brand, retail shops, and fundraising programs, while its branded chocolate production moved to a renovated facility. Elmer Hawk died in 2013 at age 89. In 2018, founder Gertrude Hawk received induction into the Candy Hall of Fame.
- 2018
Founder enters Candy Hall of Fame
[1]Gertrude Jones Hawk was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.
- 2017
Ingredients division sold to Barry Callebaut
[1]Gertrude Hawk sold its ingredients division and shifted strategic emphasis toward branded retail and fundraising chocolate.
- 2013
Elmer Hawk dies
[1]Former chief executive Elmer Hawk died on October 18 at age 89.
- 2008
Turkey Hill collaboration launches
[1]A limited-edition Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates ice cream flavor was produced with Turkey Hill Dairy.
- 1992
David Hawk succeeds Elmer Hawk as CEO
[1]David Hawk took over the chief executive role from his father, Elmer Hawk.
- 1988
Corporate Center constructed
[1]Gertrude Hawk constructed its Corporate Center as part of the company's operating infrastructure.
- 1979
Elmer Hawk becomes chief executive
[1]Elmer Hawk became the company's chief executive officer.
- 1973
Restaurant converted into candy shop
[1]The restaurant at the Dunmore facility was converted into a retail candy shop.
- 1962
Dunmore factory opens
[1]The company's new Dunmore facility opened with manufacturing, retail, and restaurant space.
- 1959
Family home acquired for Interstate 81 construction
[1]The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation took the Hawk home for a bridge project, prompting the family to purchase land in Dunmore for a new factory.
Products and positioning
A regional Pennsylvania chocolate maker positioned around family heritage, handcrafted-style confections, company retail shops, community fundraising, and a history of supplying chocolate components to larger food manufacturers.
Chocolate confectionery
Boxed chocolates
Assorted boxed chocolates are a core expression of the Gertrude Hawk brand, sold through the company's retail shops and other direct channels. The range represents the company's traditional confectionery identity and is also used in seasonal and fundraising programs.
Fundraising confectionery
Fundraising chocolate products
Gertrude Hawk supplies chocolate and confectionery assortments for fundraising sales conducted through organizations such as schools and churches. This channel has been part of the company's commercial model since its early growth and links the brand to local community groups.
Retail
Gertrude Hawk Chocolate Shops
The company's branded chocolate shops provide direct retail distribution for Gertrude Hawk products. The network has operated across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, supporting seasonal sales, gift purchases, and the company's regional brand presence.
Business-to-business ingredients
Chocolate inclusions and ingredients
Gertrude Hawk historically manufactured chocolate inclusions and related confectionery ingredients for food manufacturers, including components used in ice cream and other products. This division was sold to Barry Callebaut in 2017, so it is no longer described as a core Gertrude Hawk operation.
Limited-edition ice cream collaboration · 2008
Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates ice cream
A limited-edition Turkey Hill ice cream flavor created in 2008, featuring three types of chocolate produced by Gertrude Hawk in milk-chocolate-flavored ice cream.
Marketing campaigns
- School and church fundraising program
Regional United States
Gertrude Hawk developed sales programs through which churches and schools marketed the company's chocolates as fundraisers. The model helped extend distribution beyond company retail locations and became a continuing part of the brand's regional business.
Outcome. Fundraising remained one of the company's principal branded business channels.
Brand decisions
2017
Sale of ingredients division to Barry CallebautM&ABackground
Gertrude Hawk operated an ingredients division supplying chocolate inclusions for ice cream and other manufacturers.
Action taken
The company sold the division to Barry Callebaut and moved its strategic focus toward branded retail and fundraising chocolate.
Aftermath
Gertrude Hawk moved its branded chocolate production to a newly renovated facility and continued as a more focused branded confectionery and retail business.
2008
Launch of Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates ice creamProduct launchBackground
Gertrude Hawk and Turkey Hill collaborated on a limited-edition product combining chocolate components with ice cream.
Action taken
Turkey Hill produced an ice cream flavor containing three Gertrude Hawk-produced chocolates in milk-chocolate-flavored ice cream.
Aftermath
The product was described as a limited-edition collaboration; its continuing availability is not established.
Recent events
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