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HISTORY OF THE RITZ CHOCOLATE & CANDY CO.
1912 - Peter and Thomas Chappenikis purchase the Arcade Confectionery
store in Corry, PA. The business was located at 22 N. Center St.
1919 - William Zafiropulos joins his cousins at the Arcade Confectionery.
1926 - August 2, 1926 William Zafiropulos opens the Ritz Restaurant and
Soda Grill in Union City, PA. The business was located at 3 E. High St.
1941 - The Ritz Restaurant - Soda, Pastry, Candy Shop opened on June 6,
1941. The business was located at 22 N. Center St. Corry, PA.
1947 - The Ritz Chocolate and Candy Co. was incorporated in Pennsylvania.
The Ritz Restaurant became part of the corporation. It was decided
that the products would be marketed as William & Mary "Famous
Pennsylvania Candies".
1948 - The William & Mary Candy Shop was opened on Nov. 18, 1948 in
Meadville, PA. The shop was located at 924 Water St. The shop was
closed in August of 1951.
1976 - The Ritz Restaurant at 22 N. Center was closed. The Corry
Redevelopment Authority acquired the property. The Ritz Restaurant
was closed on February 14, 1976.
1976 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co. relocated to 46 N. Center St, Corry
and opened July 7, 1976.
1994 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co begin planning the construction of a
new building at 1221 N. Center St. Corry. Construction started in
October of 1994
1995 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co relocated to its new location 1221 N.
Center St. The location at 46 N. Center St was closed.
2006 Ritz Chocolate goes online
William J. Zaphiris, son of William H. Zafiropulos and cousin of Peter and
Thomas Chappenikis, now owns and operates the business that started as
The Arcade Confectionery. Evolved to the Ritz Restaurant presently
identified as Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co. The Ritz Restaurant food business
was conducted in Union City from 1926 to 1970 and in Corry from 1941 to
1976.
Over these many years wonderful things, magical moments, and fun times
have occurred at our locations. A history of the business is being prepared.
The history will include description of the shops, the food, candy, pastry, ice
cream that were prepared and made available to the public.
Good decisions and decisions that didn't work well will be included. Lists of
employees, titles and locations of employment will be included. The record
will be complete from 1941. Prior to that date it will be by best recollection.
To help us in developing our history, please email us your additions for our
website. Our email address is ritzchocolate2@hotmail.com or send it to our
mailing address: 1221 N. Center St, Corry, PA 16407. If you live near our
location, please come in and visit us and recall days of the past.
1912 - Peter and Thomas Chappenikis purchase the Arcade Confectionery
store in Corry, PA. The business was located at 22 N. Center St.
1919 - William Zafiropulos joins his cousins at the Arcade Confectionery.
1926 - August 2, 1926 William Zafiropulos opens the Ritz Restaurant and
Soda Grill in Union City, PA. The business was located at 3 E. High St.
1941 - The Ritz Restaurant - Soda, Pastry, Candy Shop opened on June 6,
1941. The business was located at 22 N. Center St. Corry, PA.
1947 - The Ritz Chocolate and Candy Co. was incorporated in Pennsylvania.
The Ritz Restaurant became part of the corporation. It was decided
that the products would be marketed as William & Mary "Famous
Pennsylvania Candies".
1948 - The William & Mary Candy Shop was opened on Nov. 18, 1948 in
Meadville, PA. The shop was located at 924 Water St. The shop was
closed in August of 1951.
1976 - The Ritz Restaurant at 22 N. Center was closed. The Corry
Redevelopment Authority acquired the property. The Ritz Restaurant
was closed on February 14, 1976.
1976 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co. relocated to 46 N. Center St, Corry
and opened July 7, 1976.
1994 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co begin planning the construction of a
new building at 1221 N. Center St. Corry. Construction started in
October of 1994
1995 - The Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co relocated to its new location 1221 N.
Center St. The location at 46 N. Center St was closed.
2006 Ritz Chocolate goes online
William J. Zaphiris, son of William H. Zafiropulos and cousin of Peter and
Thomas Chappenikis, now owns and operates the business that started as
The Arcade Confectionery. Evolved to the Ritz Restaurant presently
identified as Ritz Chocolate & Candy Co. The Ritz Restaurant food business
was conducted in Union City from 1926 to 1970 and in Corry from 1941 to
1976.
Over these many years wonderful things, magical moments, and fun times
have occurred at our locations. A history of the business is being prepared.
The history will include description of the shops, the food, candy, pastry, ice
cream that were prepared and made available to the public.
Good decisions and decisions that didn't work well will be included. Lists of
employees, titles and locations of employment will be included. The record
will be complete from 1941. Prior to that date it will be by best recollection.
To help us in developing our history, please email us your additions for our
website. Our email address is ritzchocolate2@hotmail.com or send it to our
mailing address: 1221 N. Center St, Corry, PA 16407. If you live near our
location, please come in and visit us and recall days of the past.
| About Our Business We are family owned and operated business that has 3 generations of candy makers. |
About Us
