Tyler, TX Has a Variety of Small Businesses
Try local turkeys, candles, cakes and more
The phrase “Made in Tyler” is becoming more and more evident these days, since many products sold throughout the U.S. and beyond are made in Tyler. Everything from smoked turkeys to vodka to Scottish shortbread are made here, with 90 to 95 percent produced by small businesses.
Here are some highlights:
In This Article
Greenberg Smoked Turkeys
Serving about 200,000 customers each year, Greenberg Smoked Turkeys is a family business that ships turkeys ranging from 5-15 pounds, each seasoned with a family spice recipe and slow-cooked over a hickory fire. The turkeys even made Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things 2017 list.
Janie’s Cakes
Billed as “The World’s Best Pound Cakes,” Janie’s Cakes‘ baked goods are made from scratch using plenty of real cream, butter and cane sugar. Some cake flavors are vanilla, carrot, chocolate, cinnamon, marbled, coffee, fruit and berry, and gluten-free.
Queso Mama
Leigh Oliver is known as Queso Mama, and her chile with cheese quesos are a delicious appetizer dip or side dish. Queso Mama products are sold nationwide at stores like Whole Foods and Costco; varieties include white queso with diced green chilies, and beer queso with dark porter beer.
Tricky Dix Mojo
Chris and Jennifer Dixon founded Tricky Dix Mojo originally to spice their Bloody Marys and michiladas, Today their 19 herb and spice products can enhance foods like chicken, fish, pork and vegetables. Products have names like Chix Dix, Hott Dix and Porky Dix.
Tyler Tortilla Factory
Owned and operated by the Correa family, Tyler Tortilla Factory has provided good, authentic Mexican food for Tyler customers since opening in 1986. The company began by making corn tortillas and now also specializes in flour tortillas, chips, salsas and tamales.
Tyler Candle Company
Known for their long-burning and intense aromatic properties, Tyler Candle Company (obviously) makes candles as well as a number of air-freshener products. Their long list of fragrance names includes 2Spoiled, Bless Your Heart, Diva, High Maintenance, Ira Jean, Limelight and Paparazzi.
Moon Rivers Naturals
Pure and organic products are the specialty of Moon Rivers Naturals, whose items are sold in specialty stores in all 50 states. Their product line includes incense, alfalfa soap, coconut milk face wash, peppermint rose lip balm – even beard oil for men.
Nellie’s Scottish Shortbread
With a family recipe brought from Scotland to America by “Grandma Nellie,” Nellie’s Scottish Shortbread sells buttery, sweet cookies made with all-natural ingredients. Most of the company’s sales are online; other products include cherry pecan preserves, peach pecan amaretto preserves and lemon curd.
Tyler Candy Company
Making homemade sweets since 1941, Tyler Candy Company has remained at its current Tyler location since 1949. The manufacturing facility produces confection items such as peanut patties, peanut pralines, peanut brittle, peanut and pecan logs, peppermint sticks, divinity logs and coconut bars.
Tyler Roses
More than 15 million rose bushes are shipped annually from Tyler to customers throughout the United States. Major players in the local industry include Certified Roses, Chamblee’s Rose Nursery, David Austin Roses, Lone Star Rose Nursery, Mea Nursery, Tate Rose Nursery and many others.
Kiepersol Wine & Distillery
Billed as a food, wine and spirits destination, Kiepersol offers tours and guided tastings of all its current red and white wine selections. Its on-site distillery produces such spirits as Dirk’s Texas Vodka, Jimmy’s Texas Bourbon and Pierre’s Texas Rum.
True Vine Brewing Company
Founded in 2011, True Vine Brewing Company makes handcrafted beers under names like Mermaids & Unicorns, Daddy’s Juice Box and Giant Slayer. True Vine started humbly in a garage. Today the growing company makes more than 200 gallons each week.
Sister2Sister Cookies
Baked from scratch, all cookies at Sister2Sister Cookies are made with the finest ingredients, with no preservatives added. The fresh, thick, soft cookies come in such flavors as chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodles and white chocolate macadamia nut.