Battle For Sweets Factory Leaves Sour Taste

Officials in Leavenworth say they are not trying to lure the Aplets and Cotlets candy factory away from nearby Cashmere.

Liberty Orchards, owner of Aplets and Cotlets, is considering moving to Leavenworth, to gain more room and to bring in more tourists.

“We are not going to get into a bidding war with the city of Cashmere,” Leavenworth City Administrator Mike Cecka said Wednesday.

“We value our working relationship with the city, and we felt awkward even being approached (by the company),” he said.

Cashmere has offered to sell off city property, including City Hall, change street names, build new parking lots and increase its tourism promotions to keep the company.

The factory employs from 80 to 300 people at different times of the year.