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Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel hosts
85th Candy Trade Show & Exposition
IF YOU ARE in Milwaukee June 20-24 you have a good chance of running into real-life Willy Wonkas. Members of the Retail Confectioners International are here that week for their 85th Annual Convention, Candy Trade Show Candy and Industry Exposition.
One of the hosts for the show and exposition for retailers, manufacturing retailers and wholesalers of boxed chocolates and other confectionery products is Milwaukee’s Quality Candy Shoppes/Buddy Squirrel of Wisconsin, which has been producing and selling candy in Milwaukee for 89 years.
As is frequently the case in this specialized business, Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel is a family-owned enterprise started in 1916 by Joseph and Lottie Helminiak, grandparents of the current president, Margaret Gile.
After emigrating from Europe, the Helminiaks began selling their fine chocolates in a shop on the cobblestone streets of Milwaukee’s South Side. As demand increased, they added retail outlets and moved twice to larger production facilities. The company now is located at 1801 E. Bolivar Ave. in St. Francis, which will be a tour stop for convention delegates on Monday, June 20.
In 1960, Quality Candy purchased Buddy Squirrel of Wisconsin, a nut roasting, gourmet popcorn and snack mix operation. In 1985, the two operations were combined at the East Bolivar plant, which now employs more than 200 during peak production times.
Currently, Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel operates retail shops throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area and in Madison, selling its candies, nuts and specialty items. Signature products include Butter Almond Toffee, Pecan Caramel Tads, Double Dipped Cherry Cordials, Mint Meltaways, Cheddar Cheezzzy Cheese Corn, Caramel Corn, Jumbo Cashews and a Deluxe Mix.The company also wholesales its products through a broker network covering more than 21 states.
Plant Tours are available at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays to groups of 10 or more. No tours are available in December, the peak candy season. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 414-483-4500 or 800-972-2658 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The plant is located in the St. Francis Industrial Park, two blocks north of E. Layton Ave. and just 2 1/2 miles from Mitchell International Airport. Additional directions are available at www.qcbs.com. The 45-minute tours cover the entire production facility and even include free samples.
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