Getting a box of chocolates is basically a rite of passage—whether it's a heart-shaped Valentine's Day box from your mom or dad, an anniversary gift from your boo, Christmastime chocolates for your bestie, or a self-bought box for when you're really feeling a chocolate binge. And there's no name more well known for its frilly-wrapped candies than Russell Stover. It's a historic company with hand-crafted sweets that you'll probably never get enough of. And there's so much we bet you didn't know about the brand—from its extremely humble beginnings to its current pop culture relevance.

1. Russell Stover's wife, Clara Stover, is the actual founder.

The company was first known as "Mrs. Stover's Bungalow Candies." It all started and was run by Clara in her own kitchen way back in 1923 with just seven employees. Not until 1943 was the now iconic Russell Stover name used to represent the brand.

Wood, Hardwood, Pattern, Wood stain, Plywood, Paper product, Stationery, Paper, Handwriting, Ink, pinterest
Russell Stover

2. Clara's original bungalow still exists today.

It's located at 960 Detroit Street in Denver, CO.

Monochrome, Door, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Awning, Retail, pinterest
Russell Stover

3. Russell Stover Candies are all still handcrafted in small batches.

Even though they're found all over the country, the candies are created in each factory's "Candy Kitchen," where the company's sweets specialists create the candy centers from scratch. From there, the centers are shaped by machines and enrobed—via a chocolate waterfall—in chocolate.

Cap, Headgear, Uniform, Chef, Cook, Service, Cooking, Chef's uniform, Job, Chief cook, pinterest
Russell Stover

4. That iconic "I Love Lucy" scene is true to life.

Minus the part about stuffing their uniforms with chocolate, there are factory workers who stand at the moving chocolate conveyor belt, placing chocolates in those frilly wrappers and the holiday-themed boxes. 

Style, Monochrome, Black-and-white, Monochrome photography, Snapshot, Employment, Writing desk, Vintage clothing, Desk, Stuffed toy, pinterest

5. Russell Stover employs 2,900 people to produce its chocolates. 

Many of these people come from a long line of family members who've done the same. And, every single day, they get to craft the 250 different candies Russell Stover produces.

Sweetness, Food, Chocolate, Nail, Collection, Service, Giri choco, Glove, Fruit, Superfood, pinterest
Russell Stover

6. Employees get to take part in huge chocolate tastings.

Many times throughout the year, employees are invited to partake in chocolate tastings to test out new products. All of the indulgence happens in a room Russell Stover likes to call "Chocolate Heaven." Totally fitting, in our opinion.

Lip, Brown, Skin, Eyebrow, Photograph, Eyelash, Facial expression, Organ, Beauty, Black, pinterest
giphy

7. There are four Russell Stover factories in the U.S.

They're in Abilene, KS; Iola, KS; Coriscana, TX; and Montrose, CO. In an hour, they churn out a total of 900,000 candy pieces. That's 18 million candies in a single day. And 90 million pounds of candy in a whole year.

Barware, Ceiling, Restaurant, Black-and-white, Monochrome photography, Monochrome, Employment, Job, Countertop, Customer, pinterest
Russell Stover

8. Forrest Gump was inspired by Russell Stover chocolates.

When the protagonist in the 1994 Tom Hanks film says "My mama always said, life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get," he's holding a box of Russell Stover Candies. It you look closely, you can see the trademark ribbon printed atop the slender white box. 

youtubeView full post on Youtube

9. Local artists design the specialty boxes.

There are 12 Kansas City-area artists who design every box and package you see at the store. Russell Stover's art director has been working with them for nearly two decades to create the cutest and most beautiful gifts. 

Heart, Red, Pattern, Carmine, Love, Valentine's day, Coquelicot, Paper product, Paper, Graphics, pinterest
salih.tv

10. Russell Stover, Whitman's, and Lindt are all sister companies.

Both Russell Stover and Whitman's were acquired by Lindt & Sprungli in 2014. So you don't have to feel bad about switching up your sweets routine.

Brown, Purple, Giri choco, Chocolate, Rectangle, Dessert, Sweetness, Floral design, Honmei choco, Confectionery, pinterest
Russell Stover

11. There's an amazing chocolate loyalty program.

You've got to shop at one of the company's 31 retail stores to get in on the deal, but if you're lucky enough to live near one the benefits are pretty awesome: Every dollar spent gets you a point, plus you also get a free box of chocolates whenever you buy two boxes. The best part: You can get fresh, hand-dipped strawberries at these chocolate shops.

Retail, Convenience store, Ceiling, Supermarket, Trade, Shelving, Hardwood, Marketplace, Light fixture, Wood stain, pinterest
Russell Stover

12. There are boxes filled with only your favorite candies.

Russell Stover knows that there can be heated debates on the best candy in the box. That's why the brand created the completely customizable Build a Box program, which means you can order online and fill up with just your favorites. You can also do the same thing at RS retail stores. (Coconut clusters, here I come!) 

Finger, Hairstyle, Photograph, Hand, Wall, Beauty, Eyelash, Long hair, Baked goods, Cuisine, pinterest
giphy

Follow Delish on Instagram.