Sarris Candies Builds On a Sweet Legacy
It all began in 1960 when Frank Sarris made homemade chocolates for his wife, Athena, in the basement of their Canonsburg home. Knowing that he had something special on his hands, Frank built a small shop next to their home in 1963, later tearing down their house to make room for a larger shop. Today, that shop runs a full city block, including an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
Though Sarris Candies has grown exponentially over the last 66 years, what has not changed is the quality of the chocolates, the company’s devotion to Canonsburg, or the way that Sarris Candies values its employees.
What has changed is the company’s continued expansion of products and retail space.
The most recent change, however, is something that has been in company President and CEO Bill Sarris’ mind for a while: a 135,000-square-foot factory, right in the heart of Canonsburg, and only a mile away from the original store. The facility, built in 1896, was the home to Fort Pitt Bridge Works for 90 years. It is now the site for expanded production, factory tours, and events.
“I think that progression really tells the story of Sarris. Something that started with Frank wanting to make something special for Athena grew into a Canonsburg landmark. But even with all of that growth, Sarris has remained a family-owned company rooted in the same community where it all began. Now, 66 years later, the fourth generation of the Sarris family is joining the company and continuing that legacy,” said Lizzy Henry, Factory Store Operations Manager.
“I think what’s really remarkable is that while the building has changed, what it means to people hasn’t,” Henry added. “Sarris has become part of people’s lives and traditions. We have customers who remember coming in as children with their parents or grandparents, and now they’re walking through those same doors with their own children and grandchildren.”
Chocolate production at the new facility began in August 2024, and doors were open to the public this past June. “Since acquiring the building, our production has increased by more than 20%, which is really exciting. It has allowed us to grow our production capabilities while also creating a space where we can invite the public in and give them a firsthand look at how Sarris chocolate is made,” said Henry.
The 45-minute factory tours, given on weekdays via reservation, have proven to be quite popular and were based on the interest customers have shown over the years. “We actually built a mezzanine level that gives guests a bird’s-eye view of our production floor. From there, you can see all of the different production lines running and watch our products being made right in front of you. While you’re up there, you’re also learning about the different processes happening below you. For example, we explain enrobing, which simply means completely covering a product in chocolate. I like to describe it as a chocolate waterfall. The product travels underneath a continuous curtain of chocolate,” said Henry.
The next stop is the Legacy Room, continued Henry, where guests can learn about the history of the company, and the final leg of the tour is the Candy Kitchen, where guests can get a look at the craftsmanship behind the products. “If you’re lucky, you may even get to see fresh caramel being made in a copper kettle and then poured onto a marble table, where it cools for 24 hours. And, of course, there’s chocolate to taste along the way!” she said.
Another exciting feature of the new facility is its upstairs event space; Sarris will be able to host private events like baby showers, corporate meetings, or holiday parties. Henry said that they are also working on developing plans for kids’ parties, classes, tastings, seasonal events, and more.
The response to date has been overwhelmingly positive, from young children to seniors and all ages in between paying visits. “That’s the great thing about chocolate; it doesn’t have an age associated with it! Chocolate is happy, and there’s always a good time for chocolate,” said Henry.
She added, “What I really hope people take away from the experience is an appreciation for the human element behind everything we do. When you pick up a piece of Sarris chocolate, you don’t necessarily think about all of the people and different steps it took to make it. On the tour, you actually get to see that firsthand. There are real people behind these products, and there’s so much craftsmanship and care that goes into making something our customers have loved for generations.”
Bill Sarris echoed that sentiment, noting that a major key to the company’s longevity is its dedicated employees. “You can’t do anything without good employees,” he said, adding that he has some employees who are well into their senior years and who have been with the company for decades.
Canonsburg has been Sarris Candies’ home sweet home for the past 66 years, and it is important to the company that it maintains its operations where it all started. Sarris had been looking for a larger production facility for some time, so when the opportunity came up to not leave Canonsburg, that proved to be the ideal solution. “We grew up here; it’s part of us, and we’re part of the community. We appreciate their support,” he said.
Henry said that some people may not realize how involved Bill Sarris is in the day-to-day aspects of the company. “He’s not a CEO who only sees the big picture; he knows the ins and outs of Sarris, down to the smallest details, and he’s involved in almost every decision that gets made. In a lot of ways, this factory is a reflection of that and of Bill himself. He saw the potential in the building long before it became what people see today.”
Henry said that the factory expansion is just the beginning of Sarris’ next chapter. “After 66 years, we’re still evolving and growing, but we’re not losing sight of the quality that made people love Sarris in the first place.”
Factory tours are offered weekdays and must be booked in advance online at SarrisCandies.com. The Sarris Candies factory is located at 136 Meadow Lane, Canonsburg, PA 15317. Store hours are Monday through Friday, from 9-4.
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