Business Profile: Paradise Confectionary
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As Paradise Confectionery prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020, owners Anna Paradise Berg and her husband, David, find themselves focusing on the company’s continued longevity.
“We’ve adapted and created different products,” Anna said of their chocolatey creations. “We do favors for just about any event and have done candy tables for weddings and baby showers. We have seen trends change over the years. People seem to prefer creating their own individual assortment of candy for the holidays. They enjoy choosing different lollies and bunnies. We still make a lot of chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs at Easter, too.”
While their menu may have broadened, Anna said they are still dedicated to making high-quality chocolate the way it’s been done for generations. “Things are still made the way (my) dad did it. We take pride in keeping with tradition.”
A tradition that means just as much to Anna as it does the community.
“We are blessed and grateful that so many people enjoy it,” she said. “When people return to Washington, they always to go Shorty’s, Osso’s and Paradise – the three popular spots of the old days. They bring their grandkids. We’ve got second and third generations of families buying our products. Just to see how much people enjoy (our candies), makes it all worth it.”
The business is still very much a family affair, with Anna and David’s two sons, Stephen and Jonathan, helping to run the candy company.
“We’re always together. We may not sit down to a home-cooked meal, but pizza is always good,” Anna laughed. “We’re just blessed. As long as we can continue to do what we can, we’ll do it.”
The family, with the support of God, friends and customers, has kept the business strong and thriving. Anna said she hopes Paradise can celebrate another 100 years.
“The shop holds many memories for many people,” she said. “It’s special, and I think a lot of people agree.”
Paradise Confectionery is located at 1295 Donnan Ave. in Washington. It is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 724-228-7749 or visit paradiseconfectionery.com.