Making Arizona a sweeter place for over 50 years.
It’s the stuff of childhood dreams: working in a chocolate factory. Between the sweet aroma wafting through the air and the ability to sample fresh treats, it’s not hard to see the appeal. Tony Cerreta, vice president of Cerreta Candy Company, can attest to the delicious qualities of this job.
“Being in a chocolate factory all your life is one memorable day after another,” Cerreta says.
Cerreta comes from a long line of confectioners at Cerreta Candy Co., an Arizona staple founded in 1968 by his grandfather, Jim Cerreta Sr. After learning the trade from his father-in-law in Canton, Ohio, Cerreta Sr. moved his wife and eight children to Phoenix. He opened up a shop in the west Valley and began churning out a wide variety of delicacies, like caramels, chocolates and toffees. Now in its 55th year of business, Cerreta Candy Co. remains a family-owned operation, with new generations of Cerretas following in the footsteps of their beloved relatives.
“My cousins and I have fond childhood memories working side by side with our grandpa and uncles,” Cerreta says. “We inherited a love of the chocolate industry.”
Seeing the family bond over the art of candy making inspired the Cerretas to share their passion with the public.
“My grandparents wanted families to come and make their own memories that [we] enjoyed for so many years,” Cerreta says.
After two decades at the original Phoenix location, the family searched for a new venue. The criteria were simple enough: It needed to be large enough to accommodate recreational offerings and provide enough production and retail space for Cerreta’s 100+ products. The company found its perfect match in Historic Downtown Glendale and officially re-opened in 1991. To this day, it hosts guided factory tours and activities five days a week.
Aside from moving, most business aspects have stayed consistent throughout the years. Cerreta Candy Co. continues to use time-honored recipes created by Jim Cerreta Sr. The products are still made by hand using vintage machinery, some of which date back to 1913. And the French Mint, a delectable combination of chocolate and peppermint oil enrobed in a pastel green coating, is a consistent top-selling item.
Also affectionately known as “the green one,” the Cerreta family knew early on that this treat was destined to become a hit. Tony Cerreta recalls hearing of his grandfather bringing a batch home for his grandmother to try, asking for her feedback. He then left the room for a brief moment to change out of his work clothes. By the time his grandfather came back, he was in for quite the surprise.
“There were no samples left,” Cerreta says. “I guess there was nothing to discuss. They were fabulous!”Cerreta Candy Co. is located at 5345 W. Glendale Ave, Glendale, Ariz. 85301. www.cerreta.com, @cerretacandyco
This story appeared in the AZ Foothills Innovators 2023 issue. Read the full issue here.
