B.A. Sweetie Candy Company Goes Employee-Owned—Here’s Why It Matters

Cleveland’s own B.A. Sweetie Candy Company just made its employees owners—here’s what it means for this beloved sweets emporium and why you should pay a visit.

Cleveland’s sweetest spot is serving up more than nostalgia and sugar highs. B.A. Sweetie Candy Company, the iconic Brook Park Road destination, has handed the keys (and the candy scoop) to its employees. The result? The country’s largest candy store just became even more rooted in the city it’s called home for 75 years.

Meet Cleveland’s Newest Employee-Owned Landmark

You heard right: B.A. Sweetie is now owned—at least in part—by its tireless, candy-slinging crew. In March, the company officially launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). About 50 of the 70 workers are now partial owners, giving them a slice of the action (and a boost to their retirement stashes).

This move comes as longtime owner Tom Scheiman sets off into semi-retirement. Rather than selling out or letting Sweetie’s legacy fizzle, he opted to keep it extra Cleveland: rooted in the folks who shovel the bulk bins and ring up those jawbreakers day after day.

Why Employee Ownership Is a Big (Sweet) Deal

ESOPs aren’t exactly everywhere in Northeast Ohio. But the benefits go far beyond a gold star on a resume. Employees:

Get real, long-term retirement savings potential
Gain a literal stake in the company’s success
Usually stick around years longer (and stick up for the business along the way)

In fact, national research found that ESOP companies create twice as much average worker wealth as non-ESOP firms. And productivity? That tends to jump when everyone has skin in the game.

What’s Inside the Candy Kingdom

If you haven’t walked the aisles of this 40,000-square-foot sugar wonderland, add it to your Cleveland food bucket list—stat. B.A. Sweetie offers:

Over 1,000 candies (think retro classics to avant-garde gummies)
A soda wall with more than 200 quirky, small-batch flavors
Chocolates, popcorn, gifts, and seasonal treats

It’s the rare spot where you might see a bachelorette party and a Cub Scout troop licking lollipops beside diehard root beer collectors.

How Employee Ownership Could Change the Experience

Sure, the floor-to-ceiling treats aren’t going anywhere. But with workers invested in the business, President Peter Kempton, Jr. says you’ll likely notice even more enthusiasm and care. Employees who help drive B.A. Sweetie’s success now literally benefit from every bit of growth.

On day one, eligibility for the ESOP requires being full-time and hitting the one-year mark, but once you’re in, those retirement perks start to build.

Expect Even More Smiles

With that extra buy-in, even the average candy aisle visit might feel a little friendlier—statistically, ESOP companies see happier employees and lower turnover. Kempton believes the Sweetie staff already goes above and beyond, “but now, they’ll have that extra reason to make your visit memorable.”

Planning Your Next Sweetie’s Run

If all this talk of employee-powered candy has you craving sugar, now’s a prime time to drop in and show some Cleveland love. Here’s what to know:

Location: 6770 Brook Park Road, Cleveland
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–5pm
Bonus: Don’t skip the seasonal Sweetie’s Golfland miniature golf course next door!

So go ahead: stock up for summer birthdays, graduation parties, or just because you want to congratulate a crew of now-part-owner staffers.

Now, every bite of nostalgia at Sweetie’s tastes even sweeter—because you’re supporting a Cleveland classic, built by and for Clevelanders. (And if you see the staff smiling a little wider, now you know why.)