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Confections

Vermont Takes Title as Top Candy Store State

A new study has identified the candy capitals of America, with Vermont claiming the top spot, based on the number of candy stores there. 

Price-tracking website Pricelisto analyzed the locations of 23,667 candy stores across the United States and compared them to state populations to find out which states have the most candy stores per 100,000 people.  

Vermont has been crowned the candy capital, with 12.2 candy stores per 100,000 residents. 

Middlebury Sweets is the largest candy store in the state, located in South Middlebury. It’s home to over 1,500 types of candy, as well as handmade chocolate available on site. The store is also attached to a motel, so candy fanatics can stay overnight for an extended experience.  

New Hampshire is second, boasting 10.63 candy stores per 100,000 residents.  

The state is home to Chutters, a candy store with the world’s largest candy counter. There are three locations in New Hampshire, but if you want to see the massive 112-ft candy-filled counter for yourself, you’ll need to head to the store in Littleton.  

Maine is third, with 9.74 candy stores per 100,000 residents.  

Seavey’s Sweets is credited with the original creation of the Needham, a dessert bar made from sugar, chocolate, coconut, and surprisingly, potato. Although the shop is no longer operating, Needhams remain a classic favorite for Mainers. 

In fourth is New York, with 9.11 candy stores per 100,000 residents.  

After California, New York has the highest number of candy stores out of any state at a whopping 1,782. Economy Candy is New York City’s oldest store, stocking all types of candy, nuts, and dried fruit since 1937. 

Rhode Island is fifth, home to 8.94 candy stores per 100,000 residents.  

Anchor Toffee, Lolli and Pops, and Candy 4 Pennies are just a few of the highly rated candy stores located in Rhode Island.  

New Jersey ranks sixth, with 8.37 candy stores per 100,000 residents. The state is credited with the creation of Salt Water Taffy, a type of soft and chewy candy, after a boardwalk candy shop supposedly flooded with ocean water in 1883.  

Pennsylvania is seventh, with 8.02 candy stores per 100,000 residents. According to oral tradition, the popular candy corn was invented here in the 1880s by candy-maker George Renninger.  

A very close eighth is Illinois, with 8.01 candy stores per 100,000 residents. The state is home to 1,005 candy stores in total, the sixth highest of any state.  

Massachusetts is ninth, with 7.54 candy stores per 100,000 residents. One of the biggest stores here is Penny Candy, offering over 1,000 types of candy. 

Wisconsin is tenth, with 7.04 candy stores per 100,000 residents. Goody Goody Gumdrop is the largest candy store in the state, found in Wisconsin Dells. 

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Bauli Expands Into US With Holiday Kiosk at Eataly Flatiron

Bauli, the Italian bakery brand known for its iconic Christmas products, announced its expansion into the United States with a takeover of the Kiosk at Eataly Flatiron, located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Broadway across from Madison Square Park. This new kiosk, open through the end of December, will offer a delightful array of Bauli’s traditional holiday treats, bringing the authentic taste of Italian Christmas to American consumers through a distinctive shopping experience.

Bauli’s beloved holiday products, including the classic Panettone and Pandoro, will be available for purchase at the kiosk. These products will be sold throughout the holiday season, providing a unique opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to experience the rich flavors and traditions of Italy.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Bauli’s cherished holiday products to the United States for the very first time,” said Stanislao Marrazzo, Bauli Group’s chief commercial officer international. “The Bauli Kiosk at Eataly Flatiron will allow us the opportunity to share our authentic holiday treats with a new audience. We look forward to delighting American consumers with our high-quality, traditional holiday treats and having the opportunity to create new festive memories for families and friends.”

Bauli’s Pandoro, a sweet bread from Verona, is the flagship product of the Bauli Group. This star-shaped cake is known for its delicate texture and has become a staple of Italian Christmas celebrations. Panettone, another cherished holiday dessert, is recognized for its distinctive shape and iconic ramekin. This sweet bread is traditionally filled with raisins and candied fruit, but Bauli also offers delightful variations with creams and fillings of different flavors, such as pistachio and limoncello.

In addition to the traditional Panettone and Pandoro, the Bauli Kiosk at Eataly Flatiron will feature a variety of other products, including:

  • Pandoro Al Cioccolato: Traditional star-shaped Christmas cake with chocolate.
  • Panettone di Verona: Filled with raisins, a sweet, crunchy glaze, and whole almonds.
  • Panettone al Pistacchio: Pistachio cream covered with dark chocolate and caramelized pistachio granules.
  • Panettone al Limoncello: Sophisticated limoncello-flavored Panettone.
  • Croissants: Available in apricot jam, cherry filling, chocolate cream, and vanilla-flavored cream (12 pack).
  • Gelato: Flavors inspired by Panettone, Pandoro, and Croissants, available in small, medium, and large sizes, with an option for a Rainbow Cone.

Bauli invites everyone to visit the Bauli Kiosk at Eataly Flatiron to indulge in the authentic flavors of Italian Christmas. This expansion marks an exciting milestone for Bauli allowing consumers across the world to savor the joy and warmth of festive Italian treats.

Bauli S.p.A. is a century-old leading Italian company in the confectionery sector, founded in 1922 in Verona as a small artisan confectioner and grown over the years thanks to its know-how, passion for the pastry art and technological development. It is the main operator at national level in the festive segment where it holds over a quarter of the market at Christmas and Easter, with an average of 1300 employees and 7 production sites, 6 of which are in Italy, in Castel d’Azzano (VR), Orsago (TV), Romanengo (CR) and San Martino Buon Albergo (VR), Altopascio (LU), Guarene (CN) and one in India, in Baramati. Today, the company boasts a wide portfolio of recurring and everyday products under the Bauli, Motta, Doria, Alemagna, Bistefani and MaxSport brands. In particular, Bauli is the go-to brand for those looking for soft, pastry-inspired goodness with attention to every detail. https://www.bauli-international.com/en

Eataly stands as a distinctive brand with a high commitment to elevating the global presence of Italian food and wine excellence. Engaged in the distribution and promotion of premium-quality products, Eataly seamlessly integrates production, sales, catering, and educational components in its offerings. Distinguished as the sole genuinely international Italian food retail company, Eataly serves as an emblem of Italian culinary artistry and, more broadly, the essence of Made in Italy.

Since 2023, Investindustrial, a leading independent investment company in Europe, has held a majority ownership stake of 52% in the Group. Eataly presently boasts a workforce of over 5,000 employees and operates in more than 50 locations across 15 countries worldwide. These include Italy, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Turkey, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The company is actively executing an ambitious expansion plan, with new openings slated for some of the world’s major cities.

Additional information is available at www.eataly.com.

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Seroogy’s Chocolates Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Seroogy’s Chocolates, headquartered in De Pere, Wis., is celebrating its 125th anniversary throughout 2024, including a special event from noon until 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, with prizes, drawings, discounts, free samples and more.

Third generation owners brothers Jim and Joe Seroogy are the grandsons and great nephews of Joe, Jim and Sol Seroogy, who founded the company in 1899.

The original owners operated a sandwich shop in the Green Bay area in the late 1890s. One of the brothers made a batch of fudge one day and offered pieces to their lunch customers. Within a short time, the fudge and other chocolates outsold the sandwiches and the business transitioned into a candy store.

A former grocery store at 144 N. Wisconsin St., De Pere, became the home for the company’s retail store, production and shipping departments in 1992. Expanding sales led to the opening of a second retail store at 784 Willard Dr., Ashwaubenon, near the Green Bay Packer’s football stadium, in 2008. Customers can also make purchases directly from the company’s website, www.seroogys.com.

With a Wisconsin manufacturer’s license, Seroogy’s chocolatiers make more than 300 varieties of chocolate candies in various sizes, novelty chocolates for every season and caramel corn. Popular chocolates are Chocolate Meltaways, Pecan and Cashew Snappers (layered nuts, caramel and chocolate), English Toffee and Caramels.

In addition, Seroogy’s has offered a fundraising program to nonprofit community organizations throughout Wisconsin and beyond for more than 50 years.

The stores are a convenient one stop shop for gifts, special occasions, holidays and entertaining. Along with their homemade chocolates, they sell coffee and tea, nuts and snacks, seasonal candy, gourmet condiments, home décor, Green Bay Packer’s merchandise and greeting cards. Seroogy’s designers also create custom gifts on request for an individual or an entire list of clients and employees for a business.

Daniel Jauquet is the company’s general manager. Robert Foster is the retail manager at both sites. The stores are open every day except major holidays.

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