A Wyoming Family Tradition: The Sweet Legacy of Donells Candies

On March 17, 1956, Don and Elma Stepp embarked on a journey that would sweeten the lives of many in Casper, Wyoming.

🍫 A Sweet Casper Legacy: The Story of Donells Candies

If you’ve ever strolled downtown and caught that unmistakable smell of chocolate drifting through the Atrium Plaza — congratulations, you’ve found Donells Candies, a Casper treasure that’s been sweetening our town since March 17, 1956.

It all started when Don and Elma Stepp decided to turn their love of chocolate into something special. Armed with little more than passion, patience, and a whole lot of sugar, they opened a tiny candy shop and began handcrafting chocolates that soon had the whole town talking.

 Word spread fast — and just like that, Donells Candies was born.

Back then, every caramel, truffle, and fudge square was made by hand — often late into the night. Family helped too: their son Mike and Elma’s mother jumped in during the holidays when lines stretched out the door.

When Elma passed in 1985, Don and Mike carried on with grit and love, honoring her by keeping that welcoming spirit alive. Don stayed behind the counter for decades, greeting customers like old friends until his passing in 2014. To this day, Mike says you can still feel Elma’s warmth and Don’s work ethic in every bite.

Now, the legacy continues with Mike and his son Ryan, the third generation of candy-makers carrying the torch (or maybe the spatula). Walk into Donells today and you’ll see them crafting the same time-tested recipes — still using Don’s originals — but adding new flavors that keep Casper’s sweet tooth guessing.

Over the years, the shop has evolved right along with the community:

🍬 In 1995, Donells moved from the Hilltop Shopping Center to the heart of downtown at the Atrium Plaza.

🍦 In 2007, they added small-batch ice cream — made right there in-house.

☕ In 2014, they expanded again, adding 1,200 square feet and a cozy espresso bar.

Even with all those changes, one thing never wavered — quality. Every chocolate, popcorn kernel, and caramel drizzle is still made with the same care that started it all nearly 70 years ago.

Donells also pours just as much love into Casper itself. From community partnerships like 307 First Day (where locals who shopped local got a box of Donells chocolates!) to being named a candidate/nominee for the BBB Serving Northern Colorado & Wyoming’s 2023 Torch Awards for Ethics, the Stepp family has proven that good business is about more than candy — it’s about connection.

So next time you’re downtown, pop into Donells. Whether you’re craving ice cream, picking up a gift, or just want to see how tradition tastes, you’ll be walking into a living piece of Wyoming history — one handcrafted chocolate at a time.

“Casper’s sweetest season starts now—shop Donells early!”
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