Sarris Candies
Encyclopedia
Sarris Candies 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. Address: Sarris Candies Inc. 511 Adams Avenue Canonsburg, PA 15317.
immigrants
, started his candy business in 1960 by making chocolates in the basement of his Washington County, Pennsylvania
, home. Sarris learned how to produce chocolate from life-long friend and mentor John Macris, a fellow Greek and founder of Philadelphia Candies. 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. 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. 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. 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 life-like plush toys. Sarris' candies can be found at hundreds of annual fundraising
events to kiosks in more than 500 Hallmark stores
around the country.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
and candies
Candy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg was laid out by Colonel John Canon in 1789 and incorporated in 1802....
, approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Pittsburgh. It was founded in 1960 by Frank Sarris. Address: Sarris Candies Inc. 511 Adams Avenue Canonsburg, PA 15317.
History
Frank Sarris (Sep. 22, 1931 – Mar. 1, 2010) of Canonsburg, the son of GreekGreeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, started his candy business in 1960 by making chocolates in the basement of his Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
, home. Sarris learned how to produce chocolate from life-long friend and mentor John Macris, a fellow Greek and founder of Philadelphia Candies. 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. 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. In 1982, with the help of his son, Sarris created his very own old-fashioned Ice cream parlor
Ice cream parlor
Ice cream parlors are places that sell ice cream and frozen yogurt to consumers. Ice cream is normally sold in two varieties in these stores: soft-serve ice cream , and hard-packed, which has an assortment of flavors, as well as frozen yogurt, which is a low-fat alternative and tastes slightly...
complete with period-style, red and brass booths and shimmering crystal chandeliers. 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 life-like plush toys. Sarris' candies can be found at hundreds of annual fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
events to kiosks in more than 500 Hallmark stores
Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. In 1985, the company was awarded the National Medal of Arts....
around the country.
Awards and honors
- 1994–2010: Voted Best Chocolates in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh City PaperPittsburgh City PaperThe Pittsburgh City Paper is Pittsburgh's leading alternative weekly newspaper which focuses on local news, opinion, and arts and entertainment...
- 2000: Best of City SearchCitysearchCitysearch is an online city guide that provides information about businesses in the categories of dining, entertainment, retail, travel, and professional services in cities throughout the United States. Visitors to each of Citysearch's local city guides will find contact information, maps, driving...
- Pittsburgh - 2001: Small Business Association's Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year
- 2002: Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington & Jefferson CollegeWashington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
Entrepreneur of the Year - 2002: Named to Pittsburgh Business Times list of Fastest-Growing Companies