Maryann's Homemade Candies Works Hard to Have Something Sweet for Everyone

started making candy from scratch about 65 years ago, and the store made Brecksville its home almost 50 years ago. By the time Carol Kwiatkowski became owner around 1987, she had been buying and eating the store’s goodies for years.

The recipes from the first owner remain, and the homemade candy might be why so many familiar faces keep returning.

“I watched all the kids in the city grow up and now they’re bringing their children here,” Kwiatkowski said, joking, “and then I feel really old.”

The family feel of the chocolate shop doesn’t compare to a chain chocolate maker. The glass jars lining shelves burst with colorful treats like gummies and chocolate covered raisins. There is no blasting music, just a calm melody of whatever plays on the radio in the backroom. The smell of candy and rich chocolate overwhelms the senses and is piled high on tables themed for the appropriate holiday – in this case, Halloween.

To prep for trick-or-treat season, Kwiatkowski just started up the large gray chocolate machine in the back to make suckers and chocolates shaped like bats, ghosts and other Halloween favorites. She plans to have themed assortments and small treats people can pass out on the big night.

From October to May, she works hard, spending most of her time in the backroom to create delicious treats for each holiday. During this busy season, she runs the machine up to four times a week.

Not every candy can be made in the machine. Kwiatkowski hand dips nuts, raisins, pretzels and other foods in chocolate. Her newest creation is a sweet and salty combination of chocolate-covered Fritos. Everyday favorites are Old Fashioned Nutmallow – marshmallow, nuts and chocolate – and chocolate caramel Turtles, with Peanut Butter Dainties as her personal indulgence. They are chocolate and peanut butter whipped together.

Each year, she tries new ideas and will always make custom chocolate for customers. Weddings, birthday parties and baby showers alike can request special themes such as Mickey Mouse or blue bonnets. That’s part of the small shop appeal, she said.

“You have that personal contact,” she said. “Where in a mall you don’t have that, you just walk in and buy the chocolate.”

That's part of why . 

"I think part of it is everyone has their favorite Maryann's candy story," said Brecksville Chamber of Commerce President Rachel Torchia.

The Kwiatkowskis' community involvement and "behind-the-scenes" kindness also granted them recognition. Torchia heard stories from Mayor Jerry N. Hruby about their support of city and school functions and knew it was time to spotlight the store. 

"They represent downtown Brecksville," Torchia said. "Without them, our mainstreet wouldn't be the same."

And Brecksville is Kwiatkowski’s home. It’s what she knows -- and she plans to keep it that way.

“I’ll be here a long time,” she said and laughed. “I’m not going anywhere.”