Nick Conomos's Fabulous Candy Store on Clinton Street

Defiance Daily Crescent News - December 18, 1911

Some Defiance folks may fondly remember a trip into Nick Conomos's candy store, the Greek Candy Kitchen, located on Clinton Street.  It must have been a delicious place to visit!

Nicholas George Conomos opened his confectionary shop in 1904 in Defiance.  He was described by one newspaper as "an ambitious, young candymaker, easily recognized by his bushy, black, Balkan-style mustache."

Nick Conomos immigrated to America in 1894 and first settled in Pittsburgh.  From there he moved to Dayton where he worked as a candy maker in a confectionary.  His next stop was Mansfield where he and a partner opened their own shop; he was 23.  This partnership lasted one year before Nick bought out his partner and moved to Lima where he opened his own store there and one in Van Wert.




His next venture was in Defiance in 1904 where he opened his third store, but in 1907, he sold all but the Defiance store.  He and his wife, Margaret, took up residence here and their three children grew up here.  He moved the store once from the 200 block of Clinton to 318 Clinton Street.  He did briefly open another store at 502 Clinton in 1937, but because of the war, he could not get sweets enough to stock two stores so he closed it.

Defiance Crescent-News - February 17, 1954

Nick registered for the World War I draft at age 39, and the World War II draft when he was 62.  The second draft registration gave his birthplace as Colinas, Greece and birthdate as May 5, 1878.

His residence was at 118 East High Street and his description of himself included his height as 5'6", his weight at 165, with gray hair and brown eyes.

In 1954, when Nick was 76, the candy store's 50th anniversary was celebrated with a three day hoopla where nickel sundaes were highlighted.  Prices on all ice cream products were marked down to their 1904 prices. By that time, he had added a soda fountain and sandwiches to his offerings.

Nicholas George Conomos died in June, 1969, at the age of 91, much missed by the community he served so faithfully.

Riverside Cemetery       www.findagrave.com