The Sweeter Side
Olympia Candy Kitchen Is Keeping Things Tasty After Well Over a Century
Writer & Photographer / Ali Snyder
The rich history of Olympia Candy Kitchen dates back to 1912. Thats when Greek immigrant Nicholas Paflas found a corner store on downtown Main Street in Goshen. As a true entrepreneur, Paflas began making his in-house candies and chocolates, and operating a soda fountain. As the customer base grew, so did the line of confectionaries they offered.
Fast-forward to today, more than 111 years later, and the tradition lives on. The business has been passed on for over four generations in the family, and is a place where locals and visitors continue to gather.
As you step through the door you will immediately smell the fresh-brewed coffee and experience the comforting vibes from the staff. When you look around you will see a fast-paced yet relaxed environment as the cooks, servers, chocolatiers and other team members work together to make it a wonderful gathering spot for all. Whether dining alone at the retro-style bar or meeting a group at one of the cozy booths, you will feel welcomed and at home.
Looking to grab breakfast or a fresh beverage in the morning? Olympia Candy Kitchen has you covered. As you take your seat you will notice a team member continuously squeezing in-house, fresh orange juice. The coffee is always hot and is served to customers in custom Olympia Candy Kitchen mugs.
When you sit at the old-time counter you can watch the cooks make delicious breakfast items. Some of their popular breakfast plates include biscuits and gravy, eggs with sausage, ham, bacon and cheese, and the Olympia Special omelet, which features ham, sausage, onion, green pepper and tomato. You can choose from other breakfast items like French toast, pancakes and potatoes.
If you are in town for the afternoon lunch rush you will find many options to choose from as well. They offer a wide variety of toasted sandwiches, salads, grilled items and homemade soups. Fan favorites include the BLT, chicken and tuna croissant, egg salad, tuna à la carte, breaded tenderloin and more. Quench your thirst as you eat your meal with specialty drinks like the fruited lemonade.
Still craving more? Add an old-fashioned sundae, soda or shake. They also offer a variety of hand-dipped ice creams including vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan and mint chip.
Once you are done with your delicious breakfast or lunch, you will want to stick around to browse the extensive selection of candies, chocolates and gifts. When Olympia Candy Kitchen was first started, the owners devoted themselves to making the highest-quality handmade chocolates and candies. That legacy lives on today, and can clearly be seen as you head over to the candy counter. Taking up nearly half of the store, the vast selection of candies includes their famous turtles with homemade caramel, as well as gummies, sweet-and-sour candies, jelly beans, licorice, chocolate-covered peanuts, and the widely popular chocolate-covered cherries. In fact, the cherries are so popular they were served at the inaugural balls of Presidents Reagan and Bush.
Not a chocolate lover? No problem. Olympia Candy Kitchen has a seasonal, rotating candy kitchen that features caramel apples in the fall, gift baskets for special holidays, and curated candy boxes that make for a perfect gift any time of the year. If you or a loved one have a sweet tooth but are out of town, no problem. They ship all around the country, and make it easy to browse and order on their website.
Fourth-generation Owner Kare Anderson has kept the tradition of the business going, along with help from the friendly team members. As you peruse the restaurant there are photos, articles and paintings that cover the walls. Each one holds a special piece of history and a story.
Olympia Candy Kitchen has much to offer those young and old, and as their tagline says, its the sweetest little place in town.
You can contact them by visiting their shop at 136 North Main Street in Goshen, or by calling 574-533-5040. You can find their full menu or place your delivery order online by visiting olympiacandykitchen.com. They are also on Instagram @olympiacandy and on Facebook @homemadechocolate1912.
