Local Kittanning Candy Business Turns 80
Obade Candy Company is an authentic old-fashioned candy store in downtown Kittanning.
by Olivia Wasilko
It’s been 80 years since Obade Candy Co. was founded along Kittanning’s South Jefferson Street in 1936. After three generations of running the small wholesale outlet, business is still strong for its workers.
“The business has changed a lot over the generations,” said co-owner Tom Nasser. “It is a tough business. Really tough. There’s lot of competition. And now you’ve got a lot of stores like the Sheetz (at the corner of Walnut and South Jefferson Street) that has its own warehouse. So they don’t need to purchase from people like us anymore.”
A painting of the Nasser patriarch hangs in the block building office as a reminder of the heritage of this great local business.
Tom and his brother John are who survives of the third-generation management. The store was passed on to them from their grandfather, then their father. And while being family-owned has its advantages, it’s not always easy for the company to keep up with larger competitors.
“Being a family-owned business, that makes it even harder for us. We don’t have the organizational structure that the big companies have. So we’re pretty much tied down with these businesses. It’s hard for us to do anything. And every business is different, but I think the whole business industry in this country, in general, is changing. If you’re not real big, you’re going to get knocked out. And that’s why you probably won’t see a fourth generation here. But the business has been good for me and my brother. The community has been very good to us. The Snyders in town, they buy from us. Almost every club and bar in town here buys from us.”
Obade sells bulk supplies to many of the restaurants in the area.
“We mostly sell cigarettes and tobacco products, candy, and paper supplies to the small, individually- owned convenience stores and grocery stores, clubs, bars, restaurants, things of that nature. Organizations, churches, that sort,” said Tom.
“We do have stuff for picnics and things like that, outdoor functions. We carry a lot of foam plates, paper plates, corrugated plates, napkins, cups of all kinds. Convenience type things. If you’re having a family reunion and you wanted table papers, we have that. You might want to buy plates and spoons and forks and we have all of those.”
Tom Nasser is one of the third generation owners who manages the Obade Candy Company.
That’s not all that Obade has to offer. Besides the shelves of tobacco products and e-cigarettes, the store is lined with rows of gum, Kit Kats, Skittles, Starburst, and Airheads candy. They also sell individual flavors of Laffy Taffy and Albert’s Fruit Chews. The next time you visit, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll see you favorite sweet treat.
Tom was reminded of how grateful he is for the supportive community when he realized how long the business has survived.
“We’ve been here a long time,” he said. “We’ve got really good employees. My employees have been here a long time. I’m very lucky and very happy. We have a nice community here. The people who own the businesses in this community are very nice people. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, ever.”
Local News | Olivia Wasilko June 17, 2016 | 
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