SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: www.charlesworthnuts.com.au

Charlesworth Nuts was born in 1934 when 38 year old Herbert Charlesworth (already a fruiterer and soda fountain operator in the Adelaide Central Market) decided to further diversify and purchased a small nut stall, for his 34 year old wife Ada to manage. Mediterranean culinary influences were beginning to permeate the Australian culture and with it came a growing interest in nuts. From the start Ada and Herb firmly established Charlesworth’s ongoing commitment to quality and freshness.

In 1942, Herb and Ada’s son, Elliott “Chappy” Charlesworth, at 16 years old, joined the Royal Australian Navy and served with distinction during World War II. He stayed in the navy for 3 years after the war ended, until his father’s ill health forced him to return and take over the family business.

Over the next 20 years Chappy doubled the size of the stall, increased turnover dramatically. Chappy’s attention to detail and obsession with quality was legendary. In the mid 50’s he introduced the innovative concept of roasting peanuts on site and selling them straight from the roaster, fresh and hot. Hot nuts that are “never, ever re-heated” have become synonymous with Charlesworths.

In 1957, Chappy married Joyce Robinson and they had two sons, Mark and Brett. Brett joined the business in 1977, straight from school, and Mark joined a year later having completed a business degree.

Since then, a new warehouse and manufacturing plant has been established at Marion and the number of stores has grown to eight, all company-owned. A wholesale division supplies selected specialist stores around Australia. Today Charlesworth Nuts manufactures its own chocolate range, many nut related confectionery lines and continues to roast a wide variety of nuts “hot and fresh” on site in all its stores. In addition it has innovatively developed gift lines to the extent that these lines now account for around 40% of their total sales.

With the third generation going strong and succession to the fourth generation well on the way, Charlesworth Nuts plans to continue its growth and development in the years ahead.

Charlesworth were inducted into the FBA(SA) Hall of Fame in 2004.