Phil Bauman makes his mother's English toffee -- a sweet, he says, that crumbles in your mouth and does not stick to your teeth. It is his mother's recipe, so naturally, the business is her namesake.
"This is in memory of her," Bauman says. "She walked in love and treated people the way she wanted to be treated."
Bauman ships Eileen's famous candy all over the country and makes it available locally. And as the two-year-old Richland-based business expands, so will its employee roster to handle the extra workload.
"I work here and so does my wife, Lisa," Bauman says. "We are adding two more employees within a month."
Bauman creates each batch from scratch in a fully licensed Richland kitchen for consumers who order from his web site. Locals can buy it at several locations, including Beer and Skittles in Kalamazoo's Oakwood area, Folio in downtown Kalamazoo, Tudor House Tea on the Kalamazoo mall and Kollig's Korner Market in Hickory Corners. It is also for sale at the South Haven Farm Market and the Kalamazoo Farmers Market on Bank Street.
Bauman also recently secured a spot for sales at Daley Plaza Farmer's Market in Chicago.
"The best markets in Chicago are on the lake, so this is really big for us," he says. "There are definitely English toffee lovers there."
Bauman's mother perfected her original confection in England and made batches during the holidays to give to friends and relatives.
"She was alive when we started and she thought it was a great idea," Bauman says. "Eileen's English Toffee is a testament to her."
Writer: Kelle Barr, Second Wave Media
Source: Phil Bauman, owner, Eileen's English Toffee
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