Sarris Candies, Inc.
TypePrivate
Founded1960 (1960)
FounderFrank Sarris
Headquarters
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
,
United States
ProductsBaked Goods and Confectionery
Websitehttp://www.sarriscandies.com

Sarris Candies, Inc., is a specialty chocolate and candies company based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Pittsburgh. It was founded in 1960 by Frank Sarris.[1]

History

Frank Sarris (September 22, 1931 – March 1, 2010) of Canonsburg,[2] the son of Greek immigrants,[3] started his candy business in 1960 by making chocolates in the basement of his Washington County, Pennsylvania, home.[1] Sarris learned how to produce chocolate from lifelong friend and mentor John Macris, a fellow Greek and founder of Philadelphia Candies.[4] By 1963, Sarris had outgrown his basement, so he built a small candy shop next door to his house, and five years later the house was demolished to make room for an even bigger candy shop.[5] Over the years, the company grew to include more than 350 employees and $16 million in annual sales, according to the company's Web site.[1] In 1982, with the help of his son, Sarris created his very own old-fashioned Ice cream parlor complete with period-style, red and brass booths and shimmering crystal chandeliers.[5] Today, the Sarris Chocolate Factory and Ice Cream Parlour fill an area the size of a football field with over 100 yards of chocolate, penny candy, ice cream and lifelike plush toys.[5] Sarris' candies can be found at hundreds of annual fundraising events to kiosks in more than 500 Hallmark stores around the country.[6]

On February 3, 2012, the factory caught fire shortly before 7AM with 20,000 pounds of chocolate but has since been restored.

Sarris Candies Inc. in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cato, Jason. Canonsburg 'Candy Man' Sarris dies at 78, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Tuesday, March 2, 2010.
  2. ↑ Frank Sarris, 78 of Canonsburg, passed away Monday, March 1, 2010, in his home. Archived March 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Observer-Reporter (Washington, Pennsylvania). March 3, 2010.
  3. ↑ Sarris Candies founder dies, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Tuesday, March 02, 2010.
  4. ↑ Source: Company archives
  5. 1 2 3 "sarriscandies.com history". Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  6. ↑ Bradwell, Michael. Frank Sarris dies at 78 Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine, Observer-Reporter (Washington, Pennsylvania). March 3, 2010.
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