Idaho businesses that have survived more than 100 years are testaments to enduring operations

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Idaho is known to be business-friendly with affordable taxes, a robust infrastructure and a thriving economy. Because of these things ― along with the many Idahoans that love to support local business ― the state has become home to thousands of small businesses, which many consider to be the backbone of the state’s economy.

Many small businesses have built a legacy here, all while navigating economic upturns and downturns, adapting to technological advances, and more. While some companies have tried without success to put down roots, there are so many others that have flourished in building a loyal customer base over many decades.

Three such businesses ― Chesbro Music Company, Idaho Candy Company and Tracy General Store ― are shining examples of success. In fact, each of these businesses has been operating for more than a century in Idaho, with no plans to stop.

Chesbro Music Company
Horace Chesbro cut his teeth in business by working at a music store in Seattle while selling pianos on the side, which quickly turned into the launch of his own company in 1901. By 1910, the business was struggling, but he pushed on, worked out a payment plan with creditors, and held onto his supplier in Idaho’s Snake River Valley. In 1911, he and his wife moved there and began working their storefront. They recognized that Idaho Falls was the best place to establish Chesbro Music Company.

Chesbro got creative and started offering school band programs in the area, which created a demand for his services and products. He also journeyed to New York to gain support for a wholesale distributorship expansion, and it wasn’t long before Chesbro’s began selling its own name in instruments. In 1933, he added a sheet music business. By some, he was characterized as Idaho’s “Music Man,” but he truly proved himself to be more than just an accomplished musician who loved sharing the gift of music with others ― he was an innovative entrepreneur that didn’t give up.

Today, the company is still a family-owned music store that supports local musicians and educational programs. It also operates a full music retail shop, an extensive lesson program and recital space. Chesbro is also home to 12 proprietary instrument brands and is a wholesale distributor of musical instruments, accessories and sheet music to other small businesses both locally and around the world. It is now considered to be the largest print music distributor west of the Mississippi.

Currently owned by Tana Stahn, Scott Griggs and the fifth generation of the Chesbro family, the company recently welcomed Nathan Baird who’s outside of the family, to lead as the company’s president.

Baird is looking forward to helping take the company to the next level.

“Chesbro Music Company is growing and expanding their reach of musical products and accessories with direct sales to individuals through custom websites for our Teton Guitars and Ukuleles and Eddy Finn Ukuleles,” he said. “We are constantly searching for additional brands to offer our dealers and local customers to help them better facilitate their needs. Our focus is, and always has been, to make music available and accessible to all.”

Idaho Candy Company
Idaho Candy Company began as a dream for T.O. Smith in his home in 1901. He had worked as a journeyman candymaker in Chicago and Salt Lake City before moving to Boise to help build the Dewey Palace Hotel in Nampa. After finishing his job at the hotel, he was unemployed and began making candy to sell door-to-door out of shoe boxes. Soon, he had a loyal following. Before long, he had 17 candymakers working out of a small shop in Boise.

In 1909, he partnered with the Adams family to build a modern factory on Eighth Street in Boise and today, that 23,000-square-foot factory is where Idaho Candy Company still makes their candies. Some of the equipment from the early 1900s is even still used. Initially, the company produced more than 50 different candy bars and boxed chocolate varieties. Today, three of those candy bars are still in production: Idaho Spud Bar (1918), Old Faithful Bar (1925) and the Cherry Cocktail Bar (1926). They also sell Huckleberry Gems (2012) and Vandal Bars (2023), and three varieties of Owyhee Butter Toffee (1925), available in original chunk style, bite-sized and chocolate-covered. The company also produces about 12 different kinds of tub, bag and bulk candies.

The company was purchased by John Wagers in 1984, who helped scale the business and significantly grow it through wholesale sales. However, that side of the business began to lose profitability and ultimately shut down in 2007 after his passing, and when Dave Wagers took the reins, he refocused the company on candy manufacturing and the distribution of Pepperidge Farm cookies and crackers. Today, Idaho Candy Company has 16 full-time candy employees and seven Pepperidge Farm salespeople.

“Our products are not only delicious, but they connect Idahoans to their state,” said Dave Wagers, president of Idaho Candy Company. “Amazingly, we still use about the same amount of sugar as we did in the 1920s when we had over 80 employees, about 150,000 pounds per year from the Amalgamated Sugar plant in Nampa. I am a very lucky guy to be able to guide the Idaho Candy Company. I look forward to nurturing our current brands, growing new profitable ones, and searching for new niches that we can thrive in. I believe Idaho Candy Company can be successful for another 100 years as long as we adapt as needed but also keep true to our focus of being the premier nostalgic candy manufacturer in Idaho.”

Tracy General Store
Founded by brothers William and Harry Eames in 1894 in Almo, people have come to rely on this store for their supplies. The brothers mostly freighted between the Almo area and the railroad towns at Kelton and Terrace, hauling cream and produce to towns, while bringing back goods. Within a year, they built a log addition with a storefront, where they sold everything from groceries to casket handles. In the early 1900s, neighbor Albert Tracy bought the store, then sold it to a partnership that included two other owners, but when the Depression hit, they couldn’t make the payments and ownership went back to one of the original brothers and his son-in-law, Joseph Tracy.

Now known as the longest continually operating store in Idaho and recently recognized as Small Business of the Month by Sen. Jim Risch, the store is now owned and operated by Kent and Janis Durfee. It’s the only store/food provider in the area that is open year-round and has set hours. The store offers basic groceries, snacks and drinks, gas and diesel, climbing guides and a post office. Out of “The Lunchroom,” they sell sandwiches with freshly baked bread, hamburgers or chicken burgers, and provide a salad bar. Visitors can also find breakfast and lunch burritos made by the store’s neighbor, as well as freshly baked cookies and locally made ice cream. Beyond the basic goods, service is really where it’s at, though.

“The biggest service we provide is simply that: Service,” Janis Durfee said. “If you are hungry, we will feed you. If you’re lost, we’ll help you find where you need to be. If you’re tired, we have a place where you can sit and rest. If you want to know about history or hiking, we’ll tell you what you want to know. If you need information, we will help you find answers.”

Looking ahead, the Durfee family is hoping to make some building improvements to the 130-year-old shop. They are considering starting a crowdfunding effort to raise money to put on a new roof on the store and old warehouse, and to restore the upstairs room which was damaged in the 1934 earthquake. Their son, who is a finish carpenter, would love to restore the whole upstairs, which was originally a dance hall, and make it into a museum.

“Our focus won’t change as long as we have the store,” Janis said. “We will try to provide whatever the locals and visitors need.”