Got a sweet-tooth? Check out Stever's Candies.
Upon stepping foot in the door, the smell of chocolate is overwhelming. The smell is so sweet and tempting, it’s hard not to rip open a box of candy and eat it. Stever’s Candies has been working hard to make homemade treats since 1946 and based on the sweet aroma, it seems their recipe has been perfected.
Best-sellers: They have winter, spring, summer and fall seasonal candy that always sells quickly. The sponge candy in the winter tends to be one of the fastest off of the shelves, but the melt-a-way candy is popular all year round. It’s a blend of milk and dark chocolate with a variety of flavors creating a chocolate so soft that it melts in your mouth.
They make art into candy: Because Stever’s originated in Rochester, they have a chocolate bar dedicated to this very fact. An artist designed the ‘Rochester Skyline,’ and it is now on both a milk and dark chocolate bar available for customers.
Busiest times of year: Easter time is by far the busiest, according to Kevin Brocht, the manager. As well as any time when there is a ‘candy holiday.’
What you should know: They have been located at the same Park Avenue location since 1960. About 90 percent of the candy is homemade and created right in the store. All of the recipes were handed down from father to son, so the recipes have remained the same. “The same chocolate, the same recipes, and made in the same old-fashioned style,” said Brocht.
Why homemade candy is fading away: “It actually is a dying breed,” said Brocht. “It is a lot of work and a hands-on process.” People don’t recognize how much work goes into creating homemade goodies. Because so much work goes into the process, many have strayed away from homemade candy making.
Why they stay operating: “We like that small, family, old-fashioned candy store,” said Brocht. “We have a lot of faithful customers.”
What is delicious in the summer time: “Right now we carry our chocolate covered strawberries (the month of June), and in the month of August we have chocolate covered raspberries,” said Brocht.
Every year they close for the month of July: Why? First, because of the heat. With customers walking in and out of the store it is hard to keep the candy at a comfortable temperature so it won’t melt. Second, all of the employees can take their vacation at the same time. Third, there is not a big candy holiday in July.
Price Range: On average it is $16.30 per pound of assorted chocolates.
Location: 623 Park Ave.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Phone: (585) 473-2098
