A look at the legacy left behind by Issaquah’s first rockstar candy maker
February 23, 2010
In 1956, in a town more renowned as a farming community and for its legacy in the logging and mining industries, an unlikely new venture opened its doors in Issaquah by an even more uncommon man.
In the foothills of the Issaquah Alps, Julius Boehm found a perfect setting, one that reminded him of his home in the Austrian Alps, from which to offer up a risky venture few thought had much chance at success — selling handmade chocolate confections.
“People thought it was a joke of an idea at the time,” said Bernard Garbusjuk, the current owner of Boehm’s Candies.
Well, the joke was on the doubters, as Julius Boehm added a new legacy the city of Issaquah can now lay claim to.
But as time marches on further away from Boehm’s passing in 1981, fewer remain who knew the man willing to take that risk.
Boehm’s candy maker receives tourism award
May 19, 2009
Tyson Garbusjuk (left) and his father Bernard, of Boehm’s Candies, hold the 2009 Tourism Excellence Award. By Greg Farrar
Bernard Garbusjuk, of Boehm’s Candies, was honored last week as the first recipient of the Boehm’s Award for Issaquah Tourism Excellence.
The Boehm’s Award, presented by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, is named after longtime Issaquah business partner Boehm’s Candies Inc. in recognition of the company’s foresight in creatively developing and marketing experience-based tourism.
