Wockenfuss Candies Opens New Harford Road Location
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Their name is legendary in Baltimore. Wockenfuss has been making candy here for nearly 100 years.
Ron Matz reports on the expansion of this family-owned business and the sweet taste of success.
Take a look at a chocolate lover's dream. It's the new Wockenfuss Candies store on Harford Road, a new sweet spot but a Baltimore tradition since 1915.
The new headquarters includes retail and a manufacturing center. It's 24,000 square feet.
"We moved from a 12,000 square feet facility on Bel Air Road. We have 40 people employed here," said Paul Wockenfuss, owner of Wockenfuss Candies.
The nonpareils are the number one seller. With Easter just around the corner, this is one of the busiest times of the year.
"We've been here 97 years. The people of Baltimore City have supported us for those 97 years. It's just a huge market for us. You just don't walk away from a market the size of Baltimore City," Wockenfuss said.
One of the most popular features of the new Wockenfuss store is the post office.
"We are a contract postal unit," Wockenfuss said. "We offer all the services of a post office with the exception of money orders and passports. Customers come in with their mail, and they try to get out without buying candy every day, but some don't have that willpower."
"I mailed some packages today, and I think every post office should be in a chocolate store. It's delightful to come in here. I come here a few times a week, and it's just so pleasant," said Debbie Pazda, of Hamilton.
And after nearly a century, a legendary name is staying in Baltimore.
"I was determined that I would be able to find a building with retail capabilities and it took me six years to put the deal together but with the city we were able to put all the pieces together," Wockenfuss said.
Wockenfuss Candies is a fifth-generation family business with 80 stores, including three in Ocean City.
