Inside Business: Watson’s Chocolates
A Sweet WNY Family Tradition Since 1946

By Carol Fisher-Linn

   Watson’s Chocolates makes every day Valentine’s Day….           

   Watson’s Chocolates, around since 1946 got its start in the back room of a 1940’s old-time soda fountain and luncheonette in Kenmore, N.Y. Two Watson families, Louis and Ellen and John and Mary started making chocolates by hand with cherished family recipes and using traditional methods. Kind of sounds like the beginning of a Hallmark Valentine movie! Just picture them, in aprons and caps, in that circa 1900’s kitchen stirring copper pots of Karo syrup and sugar and then adding the secret ingredients that made their goooey syrup into SPONGE CANDY! Haven’t you ever wondered how they get that stuff to puff with all those holes (like a sponge) in it? What’s so amazing is that they made these candies in small batches and quickly put the fresh product on the shelves in their shop to sell, batch by batch. If you have never tried your hand at making sponge candy, I found some fun links on UTube that walk you through it. Watch some of these and you will be in wonder at the patience they had to handmake this and their other delicious candies and treats. Oh, yes, and if you try the recipe following the video, you too, will not be able to chew it without pulling fillings out. Making top-shelf sponge is an art form which the Watson family has more than mastered, making them the BEST in the 716 area. They sell 44 tons every year. Handmade! Go to their Instagram account and find many videos showing how they make sponge, and how they create the fabulously hand-decorated pieces for various holidays.

Years went by and demand grew. So did their families. Lou and Ellen’s son, Jim, joined the business and by 1987 decided to focus only on chocolates. Along came the next generation and, in 1993, Jim’s daughter, Whitney, added her talents. Four generations later, the product line was expanded, five more stores were opened, and now there are eight.

      From the Watson’s website, an article found there, written by Jim Watson, tells how he, his wife Holly and Watson’s Chocolates got here. Of course, it involved skiing at a time when Ellicottville was poised to “pop! In 1985. At the Gin Mill one day, he was struck with an idea. As he left the Gin Mill, he noticed an empty storefront right next door. He called a pal to ask about available spots and tuned out he owned that store. Serendipity! They rented it, eventually moved across the street to their present location, and continued to operate one of the most reliable businesses in Ellicottville. I say “reliable” because, as Manager Barb (Teelak) Toth says, “We are consistent. We are open every day 363 days a year. Our hours and our products are constant. Our ingredients are the highest quality.”

     She went on to say how, when she started twenty-two years ago, winter was still their peak season but these days, things are very consistent, with their top three holidays being Easter, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Asked if things will change, Barb replied, “It’s not something we do. We like tried and true and that’s what we offer.”

      Walk into Watsons and you will be struck with the friendly, busy vibe. Even when things are slow, I have gone in and the friendly staff are wrapping, filling and doing whatever it takes to keep things ready for the next customer. We regulars have our punch cards in the drawer to earn our bonus candy, and they are all too eager to help in any way they can. They have added odd things like gummy worms (outsourced) to round out their selections, but most of us who go there regularly are there for the handmade sponge, fudge, Charlie Chaplin (my fave), and for a simple yet elegant way to give a very special gift, always hand-wrapped if we wish. Their appreciation of their customers is palpable, genuine and smart. Don’t know if smiles and ‘thank you’s’ are part of the business plan, but whatever they do, it works.

     With Watsons in town, we hardly need to go to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The good people at Watsons always make customers feel like each one of us has the Golden Ticket.

   Find them in Ellicottville on 27 Washington Street, WatsonsChocolates.com, 716-699-2805, and on Instagram and Facebook.