Arizona candy factory celebrates 56 years of family chocolate-making
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 22:01 · Archive
Cerreta Candy Co. in Glendale, Arizona has been making chocolate and sweets since 1968, now in its fourth generation of family ownership.
Cerreta Candy Co. has been making chocolate and candy in Glendale, Arizona since 1968, when family patriarch Jim Cerreta Sr. drove across America in a station wagon with his eight children to establish the factory. He had learned the candy trade from his father-in-law in Canton, Ohio before the family relocated west to join relatives who were making ice cream in Arizona.
The company is now in its fourth generation of family candy makers. Tony Cerreta grew up working on the production line alongside his grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins, starting by standing on milk crates to drizzle chocolate for decorations. The family's bestselling product is the French Mint—green on the outside, chocolate on the inside—created by his grandfather for his grandmother, Marisa Cerreta. Other popular items include peanut clusters, peanut butter pizzazz and peanut butter brittle.
Most employees are local families, many of whom started working at the factory as children and continued through college. Tony Cerreta described the business as deeply embedded in the family, saying chocolate brings 'comfort during hardship, excitement during celebrations, and memories of sitting with grandparents'.
How it is being reported
- Family-owned candy factory bringing magic and memories to Glendale since 1968Just in time for Halloween, one Arizona family is proving you can shop local for trick-or-treat — and taste nearly 60 years of history while you do it.KOLD · 25 Oct, 17:26
- Family-owned candy factory bringing magic and memories since 1968Just in time for Halloween, one Arizona family is proving you can shop local for trick-or-treat — and taste nearly 60 years of history while you do it.Azfamily · 25 Oct, 17:11
In this story: Cerreta Candy Co. · Jim Cerreta Sr. · Tony Cerreta · Marisa Cerreta · Glendale · Arizona · Canton, Ohio
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