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Welcome to Jeppi's Nut and Candy Company!
The journey of Jeppi Nut and Candy Company—a company that started with three Sicilian brothers and a dream—remains a story of transformation, agility, and the enduring power of a family legacy. Jeppi's has always remained focused on what matters most: providing customers with the highest quality products, with the same old-world charm that has defined the company for almost 150 years.
History of Our Brand
In 1880, three young brothers from Sicily arrived in Baltimore, filled with hope for a brighter and more prosperous life in America. As they assimilated into the culture, they saw the opportunity to create a business that would provide for their future. In 1884, they founded the “John Jeppi & Brothers Company” in a rowhouse on the 200 block of S. Sharp St., right next to Camden Yards. Initially, they sold fresh produce, but as time passed, they recognized an even greater opportunity in the peanut industry.
Fresh peanuts were ferried from Suffolk, Virginia—the peanut capital of the world—into Baltimore’s harbor. From there, the Jeppi brothers roasted the peanuts, loaded them into horse-drawn carriages, and wandered the city streets, offering their delicious, hot roasted peanuts to delighted customers. Baltimoreans were thrilled to experience this unique and tasty treat, and as demand grew, the brothers shifted their focus solely to roasted peanuts, eventually expanding their product line to include a variety of nuts.
For almost a century, five generations of the Jeppi family carried on the legacy started by the three Sicilian brothers. In 1964, Tony Jeppi, the last active family member in the business, sold the company to John Claster, the brother of Burt Claster, the local TV producer behind Miss Nancy & Romper Room for Baby Boomers. After John Claster’s passing in 1968, his wife, Mildred, took the reins. She ultimately sold the company, creating an opportunity for the next chapter of Jeppi Nut’s story.
Around this time, Charles and Stella Pavlos, an entrepreneurial couple, had just sold their own business and were eager to take on a new challenge. They came across an advertisement for Jeppi's and with Stella’s encouragement, they seized the opportunity. In 1974, the deal was finalized, and Charlie and Stella became the third family to carry the torch.
With hard work, dedication, and a passion for growth, the Pavlos family took the company to new heights. In 1977, they brought their son, Ted, into the business, and over the years, Ted learned the ins and outs of the company while also bringing other family members into the fold. In time, Ted decided to move the company out of downtown Baltimore and into a larger space in Lutherville-Timonium. This new location provided ample room for a centralized office, a spacious warehouse, and a welcoming storefront, which enabled the business to continue growing.
In 2017, however, a fire broke out in the back of the building, threatening to disrupt the long history of the company. Ted and his family viewed it as an opportunity to rebuild stronger than ever. Thanks to the swift response of the local fire department, most of the company was spared, and within a year, Jeppi Nut and Candy Company was back on its feet!
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and and the company adapted, pivoted, and found new ways to serve their customers, once again demonstrating the strength, resilience, and agility that has been at the heart of Jeppi Nut since its founding. The ability to weather each storm and emerge stronger has always been a defining trait of the company.
Perseverance
The story of Jeppi Nut is one of perseverance. It shows how every challenge, whether a fire, an economic downturn, or a global pandemic, was viewed not as an insurmountable obstacle but as an opportunity to grow, adapt, and continue. This legacy of strength and resilience is a testament to the Jeppi family’s unwavering commitment to their craft, their customers, and their community.
As of March 2025, Jeppi Nut is under new ownership once again, with details forthcoming, customers can can be confident that our commitment to quality, tradition, and family remains as strong as ever. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new chapter!