About "Estie"

Estie didn’t appear by accident, she was practically destined.

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The second family to own & operate The Taffy Shop carries the last name Igel. It is the same spelling as the German word for hedgehog  (English pronunciation: EYE-gull, German pronunciation: EE-guhl). If you know the Igel family, you know this is not a small detail. Hedgehogs have quietly taken over their world in the form of toys, notes, salt and pepper shakers, artwork, gifts and little reminders tucked into corners at home. Fancy, fun, serious, and silly hedgehogs, even a couple of pet hedgehogs over the years, all part of the family.

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A Storyteller

For decades, The Taffy Shop has been a place where stories naturally show up. Visitors wander in from near and far. Conversations start over flavors and samples. People share where they’re from, where they’re going, and why Estes Park brought them here in the first place. Some of those stories don’t quite fit into The Taffy Shop history, but they are good stories! Estie was created as a way to share those stories. She travels with customers, friends, and families in photos taken on mountain trails, kitchen tables, road trips, school desks, and faraway destinations. Through Estie, we get to see just how far people travel to The Taffy Shop, and how far they carry a little piece of it with them when they leave.

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More Than a Plush
 

Estie isn’t just a toy. She’s a little ambassador of connection. She represents curiosity. She reminds us that some of the biggest memories come from small, unexpected encounters-- like the stories told and retold in our shop every day. Her name will remind you of Estes Park when you describe her to someone else. Most of all, she’s a way to stay connected to the people who make The Taffy Shop what it is: friends, families, travelers, and storytellers from all over the world. Like a museum, with the best taffy.

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"There Are No Hedgehogs in Estes Park"

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And yet, here Estie is. All of us were visitors the first time we looked across this spectacular valley for the first time, and like Estie, we came from somewhere else. Now, whether you share your adventure or just smile at all the places this little hedgehog travels, we hope Estie helps connect our friends even better.

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Stop by The Taffy Shop, or order your own Estie and take her along on YOUR adventure.  🦔