The History of Watson’s Chocolates
In 1946, brothers Louis and John Watson, along with their wives, Ellen and Mary, began crafting chocolates in the back room of their soda fountain and luncheonette on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, NY. Using time-honored methods and cherished family recipes, Watson’s quickly earned a reputation for fine confections—made in small batches and sold fresh from the front of their shop.
As demand grew over the years, so did the Watson family’s commitment to chocolate-making. In 1987, Lou and Ellen’s son, Jim, who had joined the business in 1971, decided to focus solely on chocolates, expanding both retail and production. With the addition of Jim’s daughter, Whitney, in 1993, Watson’s Chocolates introduced an expanded product line and opened five more stores, bringing the total to eight locations.
At Watson’s, family is at the heart of everything we do. Our chocolates aren’t just treats—they’re part of cherished traditions, holiday celebrations, and life’s sweetest moments. For generations, our customers have included us in their most important times, from birthdays and weddings to quiet evenings shared with loved ones. We are deeply grateful for the trust and loyalty of our Watson’s family, and we take pride in continuing to craft chocolates that bring people together.
Today, our family recipes remain unchanged, with each piece still made by hand, in small batches—including our iconic Sponge Candy. Our skilled candy makers and chocolatier are part of our extended family, and we use only the finest ingredients to uphold the Watson’s tradition of quality, craftsmanship, and heartfelt appreciation for our customers.
Thank you for making us part of your family traditions—we are honored to be a part of yours.
“Watson’s Chocolates has been my family’s way of life for 75 years. I take immense pride in Watson’s being so well regarded in WNY and across the US! Our customers mean more to me than anything. I am grateful.” -Jim Watson
A favorite of thousands of chocolate lovers around the world, Watson’s continues to grow through catalog and internet sales. Our partnerships have blossomed with other Buffalo favorites like Anderson’s Ice Cream and Resurgence Brewery, and we continue to open new stores in some of our favorite old neighborhoods.
Our Commitment
Four generations of Watsons oversee the daily operation of Watson’s Chocolates to ensure that our customers receive the same or better quality that has become the trademark of Watson’s Chocolates since our humble beginning in 1946. Only the freshest, costliest, and purest ingredients are used in the creation of our products. No shortcuts are taken, no compromises are made. Our customer’s satisfaction is our single most important priority. We guarantee it.