CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Long before modern candy factories and mass-produced sweets, a young confectioner returned to Circleville and began a business that would remain in his family for generations.
Wittich’s Fine Candies traces its roots to 1839, when Gottlieb F. Wittich began making confections in old Circleville. The business considers 1840 its official year of establishment, meaning the local candy shop is now celebrating 186 years of history.
Wittich was the son of German bookbinder Immanuel Frederick Wittich, who immigrated with his family to Circleville in 1836. With limited bookbinding work available locally, Gottlieb traveled to Cincinnati and apprenticed under confectioner Joseph P. Mayer.
There, Wittich learned a trade that involved much more than chocolate. According to the shop’s history, he learned to make stick candy, plaited and crimped candies, bar candy, rock candy, gum paste, cakes, pies, cordials and ice cream.
In 1839, Wittich was encouraged to return to Circleville. He did, beginning his confectionery operation inside his brother’s grocery store.
What followed became a family tradition spanning nearly two centuries.
Gottlieb remained in the confectionery business until shortly before his death in 1907. His son Edward then became proprietor, with Edward’s son Frederick later joining the business. Frederick eventually purchased the company from his father and continued adapting it as tastes changed.
Following Frederick’s death in 1947, his widow, Frances Louise, continued operating the century-old business. She carried on the Wittich candy-making tradition until 1979, when health concerns led her to turn responsibility over to her son, Fred.
Today, the family says that tradition continues through Gottlieb Wittich’s descendants. Hopewell Heritage Headlines has the opportunity to speak to the current owner, Jannet Wittich who is proudly preparing to continue passing down the store to her grandchildren. Doria Paige, the granddaughter of Jannet was diligently preparing for the day when our writers were visiting the establishment letting the treats speak for themselves.
Jannet graciously shared one of the newest candies in the Wittich lineup, White Buckeyes. Much like a standard Buckeye but dipped in white chocolate that Jannet reported to us is becoming more popular in this day and age.
Located at 117 West High Street in Circleville, Wittich’s Fine Candies still emphasizes an old-fashioned approach to candy making. According to information provided by the business, its candies are handmade and made fresh daily without preservatives, using recipes and methods passed down and refined over generations.
The selection reflects that tradition, with flavors including vanilla, orange, mint, maple, coconut, chocolate, pistachio and black walnut, along with vanilla and chocolate caramels, vanilla nut caramels, honey nougat and peanut butter varieties.
For Circleville, Wittich’s is more than somewhere to satisfy a sweet tooth. Its story stretches back to a time when the city itself looked very different—and through generations of the same family, the candy-making tradition that began in 1839 continues 186 years later.
