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BUCKEYE CANDY COMPANY:

Buckeye Candy Company to Relocate, Continue Growth in Gahanna

By Michele Mooney

Gahanna’s sweetest retailer, Buckeye Candy Company, is growing! This summer, the popular candy store is moving from their current location in Liberty Square to 355 Granville Street, the former Swan Cleaners site.

“We’ve got so many exciting plans for our larger 1,700 square-foot space. We want to dive more deeply into creating a memorable experience for our visitors, so we plan to add more pop culture items, including mugs, cards, and of course, apparel. There will be more options to create gift baskets, too,” said Jay Sokol, who coowns the business with his wife, Shana.

Buckeye Candy Company first opened in Gahanna in 2019 and quickly grew in popularity. “By the end of 2020, we had already outgrown this 750 square-foot space,” said Sokol. “During the pandemic, we became a regional destination business because we could sustain family fun and still offer cherished nostalgic products despite the operating restrictions imposed by COVID.”

The Sokols made an intentional decision to keep their business in Gahanna based on support from the local government and the high shopping foot traffic. Over 19,000 vehicles travel Granville Street each day, motivating their decision to keep Buckeye Candy Company along this main thoroughfare.

“We’re excited to get more visibility at our new location. We’re thrilled to be near the new library,

↑ The company's new space

too! We alerted Mayor Jadwin when we were searching for a new space, and her help was really invaluable,” exclaimed Sokol.

The Buckeye Candy Company draws visitors not only from far-reaching Ohio cities and towns like Cleveland and Dayton, but also from nearby states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland.

“Central Ohio is really a melting pot, and British expats in Ohio have found each other through local Facebook groups. On these forums, they encourage each other to shop local for British items instead of trying to order them online,” explained Sokol.

Social media groups introduced thousands of people to the unique, cultural items available only at Gahanna’s Buckeye Candy Company. Popular international products reflect British, Australian, Canadian, and Irish cultures, among others. British Cadbury chocolates, British Kit Kats, and Scottish Barr Shandy soft drinks have compelled visitors to make the trip to Gahanna.

Buckeye Candy Company overflows with a tantalizing variety of treats and drinks, showcasing characters from Disney, The Office, Stranger Things, Golden Girls, Pokémon, the Marvel Comic Universe, and more. A line of Bob Ross products includes Happy Little Trees mints and energy drinks. The Buckeye Candy Company also distributes its own branded fudge with a selection of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, maple, peanut butter, and buckeye.

“We’re really indebted to all our fans who enthusiastically encouraged others to support us. We did our research when we opened, but we never predicted a pandemic or our immense success despite a pandemic. People regularly make long trips to visit us, and that only helps the rest of Gahanna grow,” explained Sokol.

To learn more about Buckeye Candy Company and its upcoming relocation, stop in and speak with the friendly owners or follow the store on Facebook or Instagram. Updates will also be provided on its website.