A Spokane family has bought Halletts Chocolate Factory, a longtime candy manufacturer here that closed its doors in late spring, and has reopened the business with help from its original owners.


The Spokane family, Patty Kane and her daughters, Kitty, Kari, Kami, and Kristy Kane, are hoping to increase the Hallett plants business in the Spokane market by opening at least one retail store here in the near future.


For now, the Kanes are busy learning the candy-making business from Joel Hallett and Jennifer English, who operated the business for 23 years before selling it last year. They have been hired as consultants.


Its going pretty good, says Kitty Kane, eldest daughter of the Kane family. There is a lot of planning and work to be done. Were very busy.


The Kanes bought the assets of Halletts Chocolate Factory for an undisclosed price in late July. Charly and Sandy Owen had bought the chocolate factory in 2003 from Hallett and English, who decided to retire from the business.


The Kanes say they bought the business at an auction, but decline to say what type of auction it was, and the previous owners couldnt be reached for comment.


We bought it on the spur of the moment, says Patty Kane. It was my oldest daughters birthday, so instead of having a party, we bought a chocolate factory. Were still flying by the seat of our pants.


Halletts, which employs seven people including the Kanes, operates a production plant and retail facility at 1419 E. Holyoke on the North Side.


Were considering having another retail store, says Patty Kane. There was a small store (in Lincoln Heights) that was closed before we purchased the business.


The Kanes decline to give a timetable for expansion or a possible location, though theyre eyeing the South Hill.


Several members of the Kane family previously worked at the chocolate factory, and Kari Kane worked at Halletts smaller retail store on the South Hill.


At this point, were getting our production up, she says. Our inventory was way down. We have to get it back up for Christmas.


Patty Kane previously worked here as a grocery clerk at Rosauers Supermarkets Inc. Kitty Kane was with Hollister-Stier Laboratories LLC, of Spokane, here as a chemist and says there are surprising similarities between making chocolates and working as a chemist.


You have to test the candy with careful quality controls to make sure its good, says Kitty Kane.


Halletts produces about 150 different confectionary items, ranging from handmade chocolates and truffles to peanut-butter crunch.


It sells its products at its factory location and through wholesale accounts throughout the Pacific Northwest and into the Midwest, says Kitty Kane.


The companys roots date back to the mid-1970s, when Hallett and his brother, Tom, started Halletts Farms here. It grew strawberries and raspberries and sold gift packs plus other food items. The brothers split up the operation, with Tom taking the gift-pack business and Joel taking the candy operation in 1984. Joel Hallett formed Halletts Chocolate & Treat Factory that year.