Gorant Candies has been a staple in the Mahoning Valley since 1949. It began at a location on Market Street north of the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, which was still a store until early this year.
In 1977 its founders built the plant that is still operating today near McClurg Road.
"The plant was basically moved here from the original plant that was down on Market Street, at 6999 Market Street," said Jack Peluse, the plant manager for the past decade. "The two brothers that started the company, Sam and Charley Gorant, decided to expand their location to this location as their primary manufacturing site."
Gorant's has seen a lot of changes over the years. Its most recent is a new set of owners.
American Greetings sold the Gorant name, plant and everything that goes along with it to three businessmen.
John Cayten, Joe Miller and Marty Siedler joined forces to buy Gorant's, and say they plan to continue the company's long tradition of quality chocolate.
"The recipes will not be touched," said Siedler. "We have some great items that go back to Sam and Charles Gorant, the original recipes. They will not be altered at all."
American Greetings had struggled over the past few years and closed several local retail locations. The new owners want to reverse that and open stores in the near future. They are also looking at other ways to grow the Gorant brand.
"We have a lot of contacts of grocery store chains in our area, not only in our area, but outside the Ohio area that have already shown an interest in Gorant," added Siedler. "And carrying the product as a high end chocolate. So we have a lot of irons in the fire."
