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June 30, 2022

Episode 77. Sweet Treats Make Grand Memories

John Zeno Louizes is a third generation candymaker and the Head Honcho at Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop. He took over the family business in 2003 and has grown it to include four candy retail shops and three ice cream shops.

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Adventures
John Zeno Louizes is a third generation candymaker and the Head Honcho at Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweet Shop. He took over the family business in 2003 and has grown it to include four candy retail shops and three ice cream shops. The brick-and-mortar stores are in Florida, but a bustling online candy store means the confections are available nationwide.
 
John, who began working at the store when he was 11, says, “My goal is to make sure we do the best candy making in the world and have fun doing so.”  John and I chat about the candy business and why candy and ice cream stores are great places for grandparents and grandchildren to make sweet memories.
 
Be sure to visit the store’s website to watch videos of John and his crew making candy and ice cream.
E-Mail: press@worldsmostfamoustaffy.com
 
 

Personalized Grandparent Name Bears

For Sale @ https://www.etsy.com/shop/adventureswithgrammy

 

John Zeno LouizesProfile Photo

John Zeno Louizes

Chief Legacy Officer/Owner/Head Honcho

Since 1976 (the year I was born), I have been fortunate to be a part of an amazing family owned business. Whether it was sweeping the floors, or sorting out our taffy to make sure it was all properly wrapped, I have been involved in every facet of this business.

We only had 3 employees in 2003, where as now we have more than 15 of the greatest group of co-workers a "boss" could ever ask for. In the last few years, our business has really taken some great steps to take us to the next level and this crew is a huge part of that.

My goal is to make sure we make the best candy in the world, and having a lot of fun in doing so!

Chief Legacy Officer-Owner
Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop

-Created and still offer more than 100 flavors of the World's Most Famous Taffy™. No other manufacturer makes more.
-Increased yearly Saltwater Taffy production by more than 1,000% since taking over in 2003.
-Introduced the production of our very own Homemade Ice Cream with more than 60 flavors in 2004.
-Started the wholesale and distribution of our products to other retailers in 2007.
-Opened a second retail location to the Madeira Beach area in 2010.
-Purchased a separate manufacturing facility dedicated to the manufacturing and distribution of our products to fellow retailers all over the United States in 2011.

Chief Legacy Officer-Owner
Strachan’s Homemade Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

VMA- Volusia Manufacturers Association
Board Of Directors-Small Business Liaison
VMA- Volusia Manufacturers Association

John Zeno Louizes is a 3rd generation candy maker and head honcho of Zenos Boardwalk Sweetshop. He took over the family business in 2003 and transformed it from a local icon in Daytona Beach to the world's largest manufacturer of taffy. His accomplishments include:

-Created and still offer more than 100 flavors of the World's Most Famous Taffy™. No other manufacturer makes more.

-Increased yearly Saltwater Taffy production by more than 1,000% since taking over in 2003.

-Introduced the production of our very own Homemade Ice Cream with more than 60 flavors in 2004.

-Started the wholesale and distribution of our products to other retailers in 2007.

-Opened a second retail location to the Madeira Beach area in 2010.

-Purchased a separate manufacturing facility dedicated to the manufacturing and distribution of our products to fellow retailers all over the United States in 2011

John earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Florida. He is an active Board Member for the Volusia Manufacturer Association.

Zeno's earned the distinction of Volusia Manufacturer of the Year in 2018 for their outstanding accomplishments.