If you’re looking to fill your sweet tooth in Arizona, there is a home-grown place for you.
Located in Glendale, Arizona, Cerreta’s Candy Company has been serving some of the best candies and chocolates in Arizona for more than 40 years.
Jim Cerreta Sr., who learned the tricks of the trade from his father-in-law who also owned and operated a candy factory in Canton, Ohio, founded the company in 1968. So as not to move in on his father-in-law’s territory, Jim Sr. moved with his wife and eight children to Glendale where they set up shop and immediately began dishing out deliciousness to all of Arizona. All eight of Jim Sr.’s children have worked in the factory at a point in their life, and Jim Jr. and Joe still do.
Cerreta’s does about $3 million of total sales every year, according to Joe Cerreta, Jim Sr.’s second oldest son. This is an immense difference from See’s Candies, a company whose total yearly sales in 2011 was $376 million according to Daniel Roberts from fortune.com.
The months of February and May make up the bulk of the year’s sales at Cerreta’s and are the two busiest months of the year because of the hustle and bustle of Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. May and February alone account for approximately 60 percent of the entire year’s sales. The sales of their Famous French Mint nearly quadruple during the two holidays.
This year, the company accepted more than 20 full-sized pallets of fresh strawberries the week preceding Valentine’s Day from Florida to dip in chocolate.
Cerreta’s brands itself as “Arizona’s candy company”. Along with all of the classics like caramels and chocolate bars, Cerreta’s provides the people of Arizona with fresh taffies called cactus chews.
The southwest taffy features the flavors of Prickly Pear, Jumpin’ Cholla and Saguaro Blossom, flavors that would be nearly impossible to find elsewhere. The Cerreta family sees these specialty Arizonian-flavored taffies as a tribute to the state that gave them the opportunity to build their company.
The family-owned company also provides the public with free factory tours twice a day every Monday through Friday.
Owner and founder Jim Sr. believes that it’s not enough to provide customers with a quality product. You must also have a passion for your job and enjoy serving, working for, and sharing with the people.
“A smile can go a long way for a customer,” said Jim Sr.
Amanda Lennon is a reporter for Arizona Sonora News, a service from the School of Journalism with the University of Arizona. Contact her at amandalennon@email.arizona.edu.
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