McKeesport Candy Co., established in 1927, is our fulfillment partner with a long history of providing the latest candy innovations:
We were one of the first candy wholesalers to offer bulk candy and have proudly represented Brach's Candy since 1929. We were also amongst the first to offer repackaged bulk candy. In addition, our bag candy program is a mainstay of our business and is provided in high-end stores nationwide.
In the 1950s, we were among the first to provide a variety of bag candy under our private label.
Over the years, the brand changed from "Kiddee Favorites" to "Todds Candy" to "CandyFavorites," but our commitment to quality never wavered.
For over 70 years, it has been sold in retail shops throughout the nation.
We are always looking for ways to distinguish ourselves, and we continue to offer private label bagging for corporations, department stores, supermarkets, or anyone who desires a custom approach.
Unlike other online candy stores, we opened our first "brick and mortar" retail store in 1969 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, called "The Candy Tree." Our store was featured in George Romero's cult classic horror film, Dawn of the Dead, before closing in 1986!
Our next store was called "Candy Go Round," purchased in 1973 from the now-defunct Candy Rama, a Pittsburgh institution. This store featured a wide variety, including Pittsburgh's first selection of novelty candy.
It was one of the first stores to offer a selection of "pick and mix" bulk candy from respected companies such as Brach's, Goetze's, Hershey's, Tootsie Roll, and more. This concept soon became standard practice for candy stores throughout the country.
Unfortunately, after a long run, the store closed when the building was slated for demolishment. However, it is still considered, by those who remember, to be one of Pittsburgh's most beautiful candy stores.
In the 1980s, a trend emerged in which candy wholesalers diversified into non-confectionery products.
Instead of following in this direction, we expanded our candy offerings. Although risky, we wanted to stay true to our original mission of selling hard-to-find candies long before they were considered retro.
In 1982, we opened two more retail stores called "Trifles and other Fancies."
The stores in Pittsburgh, PA, were among the first candy stores in the nation to offer Beanie Babies, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, and Colorworks M&M's ® in individual colors.
The stores operated for over ten (10) years and had the unique distinction of having the highest price paid for a Beanie Baby - it was for a rare #1 Bear signed by Ty Warner - which, ironically, was a mistake but was one of the transactions that led to the nationwide craze!
A "President's Favorite Jelly Bean" Promotion at our retail store Candy-Go-Round introduced Pittsburghers to Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Circa 1980's
For three years, our stores were among the most prominent TY Beanie Baby outlets, and they were featured on television and in several newspaper articles, including the Wall Street Journal!
In 1985, we shifted gears again and established a Fundraising & Concession Candy Division.
Jon Prince started this offshoot with his college roommate while a student at Ohio University and, after graduation, in Rockville, Maryland. The fundraising candy was sold to fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations.
For many years, we were the largest fundraising candy distributor on the East Coast, which continued until schools prohibited selling products containing high fructose corn syrup. It was a good run while it lasted.
After a long history of operating "brick and mortar" retail stores, we realized the future was in online commerce.
In 1997, we launched our first website, "McKandy.com," which was THE first website devoted to a wholesale candy company.
In 2001, we ventured into online commerce making us the FIRST online candy company
After that, the website McKandy.com was rebranded to CandyFavorites.com, which continues to be the internet's oldest privately owned candy website and, after 25 years, is still privately owned under the original management.
The site was groundbreaking as it was the first to offer shopping by Colors and Decades and it's graphics were retro inspired which is a theme that continues!
In 2006, we launched a blog devoted to candy, which remains the internet's first open forum dedicated to the confectionery industry and provides informative discussion and relevant information.
2017, our 90th year, was unique as we devoted several years to updating our website, making it as visually appealing as it is functional. In addition, we primarily used our archival photos and collection of vintage candy images.
Unlike candy stores, whose aim is strictly commercial, we wanted to create an online environment devoting as much love to the history of the products as it does to sell them.
Our Educational Section has been expanded to include an intuitive Shop by Decades and a definitive Candy Timeline.
2020 was one of the most challenging and exciting years in our history. We navigated a pandemic and dealt with supply chain issues that we had never encountered before.
As of 2024, our 97th year of private ownership, we are still going strong - after all, we are not old, we're experienced - and have expanded our bag candy offerings and ventured further into internet-based wholesale candy, allowing smaller shops throughout the country to shop without having to deal with excessive minimum orders.
We also redesigned our website, focusing on usability and retro design. It's all about progress!
Based upon almost ten decades of experience (and counting) in the candy business, we believe that "The FUTURE of Candy is Rooted in the PAST..."
THANK YOU for making us America's OLDEST Wholesale Candy Company!
