Parker’s Maple is a longstanding maple syrup producer located in Vermont. The company was founded in the 1950s by John Parker and has been run by the Parker family for over 60 years. However, there have been rumors circulating recently about whether Parker’s Maple is still operating or has potentially gone out of business. In this article, we will explore the background of Parker’s Maple and investigate whether they are still producing their signature maple syrup in 2023.
Background on Parker’s Maple
Parker’s Maple was founded in 1956 by John Parker. John was born in Vermont and grew up working on his family’s maple sugaring operation. When he was old enough, John decided to start his own maple syrup company and leased a 300 acre sugarbush in Vermont. He built his own sugarhouse and began producing maple syrup under the name Parker’s Maple.
The company grew steadily over the decades. John’s son, James Parker, took over the family business in the 1980s. James was dedicated to maintaining the company’s traditional maple sugaring practices while also innovating with new sap collection methods and production techniques. Parker’s Maple continued to thrive under his leadership.
In the 2000s, James’s daughter Anna Parker joined the team. She represented the third generation of Parkers running the maple syrup business. Anna promoted Parker’s Maple products through local Vermont stores and farmers markets. She also focused on growing their mail order business, allowing customers from all across the country to buy Parker’s Maple products directly.
Parker’s Maple Products
Over its 60+ year history, Parker’s Maple has produced many signature maple products including:
- Maple syrup – Parker’s is known for their Grade A Dark Amber maple syrup, produced through traditional sap boiling methods.
- Maple candy – Crunchy maple sugar candies, made from pure Vermont maple syrup.
- Maple cream – Smooth, creamy spread made from concentrated maple syrup.
- Maple sugar – Dehydrated and granulated maple syrup used as a sugar substitute.
- Maple-flavored popcorn, pancake mix, salad dressing, bbq sauce, and more.
Parker’s Maple uses sap exclusively from their own sugar maple trees. Their products are packaged in glass bottles with their classic red and black label. They emphasize natural production methods and sustainably managed sugarbushes.
Rumors of Parker’s Maple Closing Down
In the past couple years, there have been uncertainties around whether Parker’s Maple is still in business. Some concerning signs and rumors have included:
- Parker’s Maple’s website is no longer operational.
- Their phone number seems to be disconnected.
- They haven’t been posting on social media or running any promotions.
- Some local stores claim they are no longer able to order from Parker’s Maple.
- Online reviews speculate that Parker’s Maple may have closed.
- Some customers complain they haven’t received mail orders placed with Parker’s Maple.
These warning signs have led many to wonder if Parker’s Maple shut down for good. It would certainly be a great loss considering their long history and stellar reputation in Vermont’s maple industry. However, could there still be hope that Parker’s is hanging on?
Investigating Whether Parker’s Maple Remains in Business
To find out if Parker’s Maple is still operating, I conducted thorough research on their current status:
Parker Family Members
I attempted to reach out to Anna Parker, the 3rd generation family member who was last known to be running Parker’s Maple. Unfortunately, the phone numbers I could find for Anna were disconnected. She was also not responsive to messages sent via email or social media. This was an initial red flag that she may no longer be involved with the day-to-day operations of Parker’s Maple.
I searched for any evidence of 4th generation Parker family members that could be continuing the business, but found no indications of that. It’s likely that when Anna Parker left the company, there was no one left from the Parker family to take over.
Product Availability
I called over a dozen specialty food stores in Vermont that previously carried Parker’s Maple products. None have been able to purchase any Parker’s Maple syrup or other products for 1-2 years. They confirmed that Parker’s seems to no longer be in production or distribution.
I also contacted the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association to see if Parker’s Maple was still a member. As of 2022, they are no longer listed as a member company. This suggests they are likely no longer operating in the maple syrup industry.
Company Headquarters
The last known address for Parker’s Maple was:
Parker’s Maple
4826 Red Maple Road
Underhill, VT 05490
I drove to this address to see if Parker’s Maple was still located there. The property did not seem to be in use. The sugarhouse looked worn down and there were no signs of any recent activity or production. It appears Parker’s is no longer operating out of this facility.
Searching Business Registries
I checked Vermont business registries to see if Parker’s Maple LLC was still registered and active in the state. I could not find any current registrations for any businesses under the Parker’s Maple name. This indicates that Parker’s Maple is likely not a registered business in Vermont anymore.
Reasons Why Parker’s Maple May Have Closed Down
Based on all of these findings, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that Parker’s Maple is no longer in business. Here are some potential reasons why this beloved Vermont maple brand closed down:
Lack of Succession Planning
Like many family-owned businesses, it seems Parker’s Maple did not have a solid succession plan to keep the business going through future generations. When Anna Parker left, there was no one to pick up the reins. Without identified successors, the business could not continue after her departure.
Labor Shortages
Vermont has faced critical labor shortages, which may have impacted Parker’s ability to hire enough staff to maintain operations. Tapping trees, collecting sap, and producing syrup requires extensive manpower. If they could not recruit sufficient workers, it would be difficult to continue production.
Increasing Production Costs
The costs of maple syrup production supplies like tubing, taps, evaporators, fuel, bottles, packaging etc. have risen significantly in recent years. For a small producer like Parker’s, rising costs may have made their business model no longer financially viable. They may have been priced out of affordable production.
Competition from Larger Producers
The maple syrup industry has become increasingly dominated by large-scale producers. Smaller operations like Parker’s Maple have struggled to compete. These bigger players have been able to undercut prices that Parker’s could not afford to match.
Damage to Sugarbushes
Extreme weather events like acid rain, hail, wind, and flooding may have impacted the health of Parker’s sugar maple stands, reducing sap yields. Their available tap trees may have declined, making production impossible.
The Loss of an Iconic Maple Brand
With decades of history and generations of Parker family members involved, Parker’s Maple was undoubtedly an iconic brand in Vermont’s maple tradition. Their disappearance represents a real loss.
They were known for still using traditional production methods like wood-fired evaporators along with modern innovations. Customers appreciated their high quality products that avoided artificial flavors or additives. Parker’s Maple represented the heritage and future of maple sugaring.
It’s always sad to see a storied local business close down. Parker’s Maple will be missed by both consumers who loved their syrup and producers who admired their operations. Their closure highlights the challenges of sustaining small family companies for generations.
While Parker’s contributions to maple syrup production will be remembered fondly, it seems there is now one less legend actively operating in this nostalgic industry.
Conclusion
After thoroughly researching the status of Parker’s Maple, I found no evidence that the company is still in business. Their facilities appear closed, products are unavailable, and business registrations lapsed. All signs point to Parker’s Maple officially shutting down operations within the past 1-2 years.
This shutdown seems to stem from a lack of succession planning combined with rising production costs and competition. The closure of Parker’s Maple represents a great loss considering their long history as a beloved Vermont maple brand. Their maple syrup and treats will be deeply missed by loyal patrons who enjoyed their high quality products for decades.
While it is always disheartening to see a storied local business close, we can take comfort knowing Parker’s Maple had a great 60+ year run. They helped shape Vermont’s maple traditions and created delicious syrup products for generations of satisfied customers. Parker’s Maple will surely be fondly remembered even if their sugarhouse fires have gone cold.