In 1998, Mark Grim came up with the idea of making candy products commonly sold in Canada available on the Internet to people in the United States. That idea was implemented and the business opened on the Internet in October of 1999 (click here). Grim grew up in Bellingham, Washington, which is just south of Vancouver, British Columbia. While living in Bellingham, he made many Canadian friends and many trips to Canada. During these trips, he sampled some of the products that Panhandle now offers.

"I used to make special trips to Canada to purchase certain candy products that I really liked," he said, referring specifically to Coffee Crisp chocolate bars and Mackintosh's Creamy Toffee.

After thinking about these products again in 1998, Grim said he wondered if there was not only a way for him to get them for himself, but for others in the United States with the same yearning that he had. There are several competitors who have since tried to copy this idea, but Panhandle Premium opened for business as the pioneer Internet company importing Canadian candy into the United States. It really is the original, as the logo says.

"I started trying to figure out how I could help others who wanted to get the candy like me but couldn't because they were so far from Canada," Grim said.

One thing led to another, and soon the website panhandlepremium.com was on-line and open for business. Almost every type of candy commonly sold in Canada is available. The website utilizes simple, safe and secure on-line purchasing as well as easy fax or mail ordering (you can download the forms on-line or request them by fax).

In addition to operating this e-commerce site, Grim is a journalist. He served as Editor of The Othello Outlook newspaper for 5 years; and has worked in journalism for about 9 years. In addition to having his articles and opinions in The Outlook, his articles have also appeared in The Seattle Times, Lake Stevens Journal, the Willapa Harbor Herald and the Bellingham Herald.

He recently completed an original screenplay, MENTAL GAME. It is the story of a struggling professional golfer who utilizes his out-dated equipment and former caddy to regain his winning state of mind.

Grim also owns and operates Student Prints Buttons & Machines. Student Prints supplies button-making machines and parts to clients, mostly school districts and other educational bodies, all across the North America. www.makebuttons.com

He and his wife Charisma make their home in Bellingham, Washington.