Of all the many shops and businesses in Moffat, indisputably the Moffat Toffee shop is the most famous of them all. The shop began trading in the late 19th century in No2 Holm street ( where Neilson Electrical Services have their office currently ). The current owner Blair Blacklock’s great grandmother, Janet Cook Johnstone created what is now known as Moffat Toffee, a boiled sweet famous across the world and synonymous with Moffat. The recipe remains a secret.
Blair took over the business himself in 1959 and there have been two location changes since then. Many of you might remember when the shop was located just next door to where it is now ( presently Manse Interiors) and they incorporated the Coffee and Cream cafe. They also had two other stores in Pitochry and Peebles at that point .
Since Blair’s retirement Sean Walker has taken over the day to day running of the business with the help of four full time members of staff. Since beginning work there as a schoolboy, Sean has brought energy and imagination to his work creating new Moffat Toffee flavours, delisting tablets which are no longer popular and replacing them with his own creations .
Roughly 25% of what they sell is produced at their factory in Annanside. Sean, Megan and Chris can all be found there keeping stocks steady. As well as Moffat Toffee, they make all sorts of toffees including bonfire toffee, cinder toffee, rocks, coulters candy, and a huge array of fudges and tablets .
The shop itself at 13 High Street is like stepping back in time. The sight and smells in the shop hark back to a bygone age . Sean and the team have been known to create versions of their customers childhood sweet favourites, giving themselves a challenge in the process.
Always progressing , internet orders are a crucial part of their business now as well as being the shop everyone wants to pick up supplies from on Moffat visits. Due to partnerships with local breweries there are now also toffee infusions of gin, vodka and rum on sale.
Innovation never stops. Willy Wonka eat your heart out !
