History

Anthony Zanetos immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1907. His first job was as an apprentice candy maker in a local candy shop in Columbus, Ohio. It was in 1916, when Anthony experienced the urge to go into business for himself. This decision molded the lives of four generations.

In 1932, Anthony opened the Co-op Dairy at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Broad Street in Franklinton. It was Anthony’s dream for a father and son business. In 1945 Anthony’s son Tom, returned home from service following W.W.II. Together they started Anthony’s Confectionary where the Co-op Dairy used to be. Following the war, sugar was rationed and Veterans that were in the candy business could get a 30,000-pound annual allotment of sugar, which made Tom a valuable asset and an instant partner with his father.

In 1947, the two opened the Crystal Fountain Restaurant at 1022 West Broad Street. The business expanded by adding ice cream making equipment, a soda fountain and a light lunch counter. This brought more customers into the store, which consequently increased candy sales. Soon the candy business was growing faster than the ice cream and lunch business.

Realizing the quality of the candy was creating a demand, Tom and his father decided to make it a full time trade, and using their first names they formed the Anthony-Thomas Candy Company in 1952.

In 1969, they expanded and moved to a 60,000 square foot building at 1160 West Broad Street. As business continued to grow, this building became too small to keep up with the demand.

In 1995, Anthony-Thomas again expanded and built a new 152,000 square foot factory at 1777 Arlingate Lane in Columbus, Ohio.

Fast Forward to 2016, Anthony-Thomas made a 2,000 sq ft expansion to its factory retail shoppe. With new restrooms and a gathering space for large groups, this made the exsisting tour experience even better.

In 2020, a fifth-generation family member joined the company. The company now has been run and held by Joe Zanetos (President); his daughter, Candi Trifelos (Vice President); and grandson, Nick Trifelos (National Sales Manager).

In 2024, Anthony-Thomas Candy Company made the exciting decision to add 20,000 sq ft to its headquarters as well as to renovate exsisting space, making the building 174,000 sq ft. This addition will allow for a 35% increase in output over the next several years. Within the new space is an eleventh production line as well as new wrapping and kitchen equipment.

Besides making candy for our 13 retail outlets, we also have a fundraising division and a contract-manufacturing division. We are one of the largest family-owned and operated candy companies in the midwest and now employ over 200 people and currently produce an average of 60,000 pounds of chocolates on two shifts daily. Currently, Anthony-Thomas is expanding its retail, wholesale, and contract-manufacturing divisions.