Liberty Orchards was founded in the early 20th century by Armenian immigrants and brothers-in-law Mark Balaban and Armen Tertsagian. The family grew apples and pears, but storage challenges stimulated the development of candy products, notably Aplets and Cotlets, versions of Eastern Mediterranean Turkish delight. By the end of the 20th century, following a boost from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, Liberty Orchards had become an international company, with wholesale, retail, and mail order sales. On March 16, 2021, Liberty Orchards President Gregory (Greg) Taylor, grandson of one of the founders, announced that the company would close permanently on June 1, 2021. The company was sold to KDV Group, a Russian food conglomerate, in late May.

Here, John Chakirian, nephew of the founders, and Greg Taylor, grandson of one of the founders, are shown at the Liberty Orchards factory. John Chakirian, president of the company since 1969, had recently transitioned to the role of chairman to allow Taylor to takeover as president.

Caption information source: "Liberty Orchards of Cashmere begins marketing Aplets around February 23, 1921" by Paula Becker, HistoryLink.org Essay 11249.
Caption information source: "The Story of Aplets and Cotlets," by Thomas E. Sellers, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 14, 1978, A6.