A Sweet Deal: How One Big Candy Shop Put Its Workers in Charge

Seventy-five years after opening as a tiny basement candy shop in Cleveland, the largest candy store in North America has turned a new page. Instead of selling to investors or handing over to family, the business quietly shifted control to the people who stock the shelves, wrap orders, and greet customers every day. The move makes it one of the biggest employee-owned candy companies in the country today. The change started with the owner, who spent years weighing different options for the future. He talked to investors, nearly signed a private equity deal, and studied the ins and outs of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP. In the end, he chose the ESOP because it let every worker share in the company’s success, not just a few outside owners. Now, hundreds of employees wake up knowing they own a piece of a business that sells candy to more than 800 stores across the country.

It’s a big jump from the early days. In 1950, the company began as a small bulk candy business run from a basement. It later moved to a garage on Brookpark Road, where it grew into the go-to destination for candy lovers. Over time, the business expanded beyond the storefront. It bought popcorn brands like Humphrey and Campbell’s, launched candy-filled gift boxes under Cleveland in a Box, and built three large warehouses totaling over 67, 000 square feet. Today, it’s not just a shop—it’s a candy empire rooted in Northeast Ohio. Even with growth, the company wants to keep what makes it special. The new ownership structure is meant to protect the local culture and the customer experience that families have trusted for generations. A seasoned management team with over a century of candy industry experience will guide the next chapter, ensuring the business stays true to its roots while reaching new customers. The switch to employee ownership was finalized in late March 2026, with help from financial and legal experts across the state. While the candy aisles still look the same, the people behind them now have a real say in how the business runs—and a real stake in its future.

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