One of Buffalo’s oldest and most beloved candy stores came under new ownership in the 1980s almost by accident. Owner Phil Buffamonte and his brother Ron made a leap of faith to take over the historic Parkside Candy Shoppe space on a fateful day, and thanks to their dedication, the landmark celebrates more than 100 years in business.
Parkside Candy opened in 1919 by George Kaiser and his wife whose lifelong dream was to operate a neighborhood candy shop. Business was so successful the couple expanded to a brand new building in 1927 designed by local architect Morton Woolfe, the same building where Parkside Candy resides today. The company remained under its original ownership until Kaiser’s passing, when it was listed for sale and purchased by the Buffamontes.
Prior to purchasing the historic candy shoppe, the Buffamonte family began their foray into the candy world in 1974 as a means to make …