Wilton Candy Kitchen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wilton Candy Kitchen
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Wilton Candy Kitchen building
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 310 Cedar St. Wilton, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1856 |
| Part of | Wilton Commercial Historic District (ID16000606) |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001742 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1993 |
The Wilton Candy Kitchen is a very old and famous shop. It is located in Wilton, Iowa, United States. This special place is a combination of an ice cream parlor, a soda fountain, and a confectionery store. It sells candies and sweet treats. The building itself is made of wood and has a unique front. It still looks almost exactly the same inside as it did in 1922!
The shop first opened in 1867. It is believed to be the oldest business of its kind that has been open continuously in the United States.
Contents
The History of the Sweet Shop
The Wilton Candy Kitchen has a long and interesting history. It started way back in 1867.
Gus Nopoulos Takes Over
In 1910, a man named Gus Nopoulos bought the shop. Gus was an immigrant from Greece. Before this, he worked in his uncle's candy store in Davenport, Iowa. He bought the Wilton shop with a partner named Nick Parros.
The building already had all the things needed to make candy. It also had a soda fountain and other furniture. In 1913, Gus Nopoulos bought the building. He also bought out his partner, Nick. This meant Gus owned the whole business by himself.
Making the Shop Special
Gus made some cool changes to the shop. In 1915, a special tin ceiling was put in. Then, in 1922, Gus added more furniture. He got these pieces from another fancy candy store in Davenport called the Elite Confectionery. These additions helped create the classic look the shop still has today.
Gus Nopoulos continued to work at the shop for many years. He was involved until he passed away in 1983. His son, George, and daughter-in-law, Thelma, also helped run the family business.
What You Can Find Inside
Today, the Wilton Candy Kitchen still serves many delicious treats. You can try George's homemade ice cream. They also serve old-fashioned "phosphates," which are fizzy drinks. Of course, you can also get lunches and lots of different candies.
In the back of the building, there is a small museum. This museum shares information about the history of Wilton, Iowa.
A Recognized Historic Place
The Wilton Candy Kitchen is so special that it has been officially recognized. In 1993, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site in the United States. Later, in 2016, it was also included as an important part of the Wilton Commercial Historic District.
