The Goumas Candyland tradition began more than a century ago in 1911, when George Stamas immigrated to America from Greece and opened a small ice cream and candy shop called The Busy Bee. Through hard work, dedication, and a passion for creating exceptional sweets, George built a loyal following throughout the Newark community. In 1931, he expanded his business and opened The Rose Bud, a larger shop known for its handmade chocolates, ice cream, and unique treats—including the famous grilled chocolate sandwich that became a local favorite. Like many businesses of the era, The Rose Bud faced challenges during the Great Depression and eventually closed in the mid-1930s.
Determined to continue his dream, George reopened The Busy Bee in 1946 with the support of a close friend. He later opened another candy store across from the historic Arcade Movie Theater in downtown Newark. Following George’s passing in 1952, the business was entrusted to his daughter, Bessie, and her husband, Gus Goumas, who continued the family tradition and proudly renamed the store Goumas Candyland.
For generations, Goumas Candyland has remained committed to the same values it was founded on—quality ingredients, time-honored recipes, and handcrafted confections made with care. What began as a single neighborhood candy shop has grown into a beloved Ohio tradition with locations serving customers throughout the Newark, Heath, and Granville communities.
Today, we continue to make many of our candies the same way they have been made for generations. From our famous English toffee cooked in copper kettles to hand-dipped chocolates, caramel apples, buckeyes, fudge, and seasonal favorites, every piece reflects the craftsmanship and family heritage that have defined Goumas Candyland for over 100 years. We are honored to continue sharing sweet traditions with our customers and look forward to serving future generations for years to come.
The Best, Hand-Dipped Chocolates
Goumas Candyland is best-known for having some of the best chocolate in Columbus, OH. From hand-dipped chocolates to truffles, chocolate-covered nuts to the ever-popular buckeyes, people simply can’t get enough of Goumas chocolates! Aside from using only the freshest, best ingredients, the secret lies in traditional recipes, passed down through the generations and guarded closely by the family.
In addition to traditional treats, we’re also very well known for a handful of specialties, brought to life through old-world recipes that make unique and mouth-watering candies. Some of our more popular candied creations include:
- Buckeyes
- Chocolate covered potato chips
- Homemade wrapped caramels
- Sea salts
- Toffee
- Turtles
Thanks to our online store, Goumas Candyland is able to ship our creations worldwide. We encourage you to take a look at our full selection of products and experience them for yourself, one savory bite at a time!