Business for a Better World: Q&A with Windy City Sweets owners

Company: Windy City Sweets

Address: 3308 N. Broadway, Chicago

Phone: (773) 477-6100

Website: windycitysweets.com

Industry: Confectioner of chocolate, candy, fudge, ice cream, gifting

Number of employees: 15

• An interview with owners John Manchester and Jill Manchester:

Q: Describe your company.

When you walk through the doors at 3308 N. Broadway, it’s like you are stepping back in time. Everyone is greeted with a friendly hello and if you are a regular, it’s like you’ve just strolled on the set of the TV show “Cheers” “where everybody knows your name” and the friendly staff addresses you accordingly. The store feels nostalgic. It reminds customers of a simpler, less frenetic, friendlier time.

Since 1983, Windy City Sweets has specialized in handmade chocolates, homemade fudge, international licorice and 1,200 assorted candies sure to delight everyone’s sweet tooth. Our candy store is a favorite destination for our faithful Chicago customers and was just recognized as having the best customer service by the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce.

But that’s not all the accolades Windy City Sweets has, it was voted in a USA Today contest as one of America’s two favorite candy stores and named by Cosmopolitan Magazine as one of the best ice cream shops in the U.S. In fact, just last month, Windy City Sweets was one of 57 companies worldwide to be selected for the “Everyone Wins” gift bag for the Oscar nominees.

Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

We hire many neighborhood people from all ages and diverse backgrounds. We see a large increase of local, national and international visitors. We will ramp up our staff for the summer visitor and ice cream season to meet this demand. We have seen a significant increase in traffic due to the recent partnering with the “Everyone Wins” Oscar nominees gifting program. We were one of 57 companies worldwide to be approved to be part of Hollywood’s biggest night.

Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?

Personalization. Everyone wants something special, made just for them. At Windy City Sweets, we offer one-of-a-kind chocolate creations for individuals and business customers. We are always innovating and offering new items in our shop. Two new items that are becoming fan favorites are Windy City Stuffs. Crack open an Oreo, place a Reese’s peanut butter cup in it and then dunk it in one of our Windy City Sweets signature chocolates. The other new innovation is an Oreo enrobed in caramel and Windy City Sweets chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. For businesses, we work with them to develop a customized collection of chocolates and incorporate their company name or logo to make it one of a kind.

Q: What does your company do to reduce the effects of climate change?

We do lots of recycling. With our shipping we reuse boxes, packing paper and bubble wrap. Many of our customers may receive their sweets packed in a Jelly Belly Box. Larger boxes are used to deliver larger commercial orders. Some of our product comes in large plastic bags. We use the bags to throw out trash.

We donate damaged products, i.e. pretzels (along with food service gloves and take out bags), to Dignity Diner.

Q: Is your company minority-owned? Woman-owned? If so, what are the challenges of being a minority- or woman-owned company?

Windy City Sweets is 50% woman owned, our general manager is a woman and two-thirds of our staff is female.

Q: What does your company do regarding DE&I (diversity, equity & inclusion)?

Being a resident in the diverse Lakeview neighborhood, we embrace DE&I — from our hiring practices to our philanthropies to our general business philosophy. Candy loves everyone and everyone loves candy.

Q: Does your company donate time or money to any philanthropic causes? If so, what causes?

Windy City Sweets wants to make the world “sweeter” and we are generous sharing our time, talent, energy and our delicious products with others. One of our best memories is with Make A Wish Foundation. A young boy had a wish to go to a Cubs game and Windy City Sweets proved to be the cherry on top. Our young friend came by after the game and was amazed at the size of the five-scoop ice cream sundae he enjoyed, along with all the candy he wanted to take home. We have donated gift baskets to Dignity Diners, donated ice cream and goodies to Center on Halsted Street, which serves the LBGTQ community, and partnered with The Power Project, whose mission is to prevent sexual violence, dating violence and sex trafficking of youth. The Power Project was in store educating people in the neighborhood and we donated a portion of our sales to their great cause.

Our generosity extends beyond humans. In our most recognized and absolutely fun philanthropy, Windy City Sweets created The Ice Cream Challenge Contest with local radio hosts. Our goal was to bring awareness to and raise money for The Anti-Cruelty Society. The annual promotion lasts all summer with local radio personalities selecting their favorite ice cream and campaigning all summer to drive sales. The winner of the ice cream challenge gets bragging rights for a year, but the big winner is the Anti-Cruelty Society, which gets a big donation.

Q: Does your company do anything else to make your community better?

We share our sweetness with local schools, LGBTQ organizations, and religious organizations, along with national organizations.

Q: What do you do to make your business a good place to work for your employees?

We support DEI in our hiring practices, hire local neighborhood people from all age groups, and create a welcoming, fun work environment where our employees can thrive.

Q: Do you have a business mantra?

“Windy City Sweets — where life is a little bit sweeter!”

Q: What is one interesting fact about your company that most people may not know?

100% of our delicious fudge and more than 50% of our chocolates are made right here in store at Windy City Sweets.

Our multigenerational Manchester Olde English Toffee is a family recipe handed down from John’s great-grandmother.