Milwaukee, WI, , 03/05/2010 —

CONGRATULATIONS Dawn D, from Cary, IL. You are the winner of our Favorite Memory Contest!

"My memory of Quality Candy and Buddy Squirrel is life-long; it began when I was growing up in Milwaukee and has followed me throughout my life. I've lived in many great cities and states across our nation but whenever I return home I always stop in at the Mayfair stores to stock up. Easter and Christmas would never be complete without chocolates and nuts, and I have introduced a myriad of people across the country to what I personally consider the ultimate confection anywhere -- our beloved Fairy Food. My daughter lives in Los Angeles and still anticipates a box from me a few times a year. In 40 years I have never found another company, from small boutique chocolatiers to large Swiss confectioners, who compare to the consistent high standards of Quality Candy and Buddy Squirrel. I could go on and on but suffice to say you have my heart forever!"

We received so many wonderful memories from people all across the country we decided to publish them all! All the Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel employees are delighted to share our customers' favorite and continued memories of us with sincere gratitude.

THANK YOU!

Holly M
Austin, TX
"When I was a youngster, my father worked for the Milwaukee Sentinel. We would go downtown to meet him and go out for dinner and a movie. We always went to the Riverside theatre for a show and would visit the Buddy Squirrel shop that was right next door for some wonderful treats to enjoy while we watched the movie. Even now when I have the nuts shipped to me, I tell my grandkids this story. They love them and now will not eat any others."

Edward J
Cudahy, WI
"I remember going everywhere with my Dad, especially on Saturdays. Whatever he had to do, I would always go along. Usually, at the end of our errands, he would take me to Quality Candy in Cudahy. He always let me look at all the candy before he told me I could have "one of whatever I wanted". I would look at every item on the shelf! Now that my Dad has passed away, I have my own "Little Ed" and I always take him to Quality Candy and let him pick out something. To my surprise, and joy, the lady behind the counter said "You did the same thing when you were his age. You looked at everything, and your Dad waited, just like you are doing now."

Patty R
Berwyn IL
"My favorite memory of Buddy Squirrel is when I discovered his nutty, crunchy sweet goodness in the mall (Shops of Grand Avenue) Milwaukee when I went to see the animatronic teddy bear orchestra. I munched my cinnamon sweet coated nuts while I watched the bears play holiday tunes. I picked up some yummy fudge and chocolates for later, too, but it doesn't get any better than the candy coated nuts! They were so fresh, I am sure I will be back to Buddy Squirrel when I am in Milwaukee."

Suzann J
Waukesha, WI
"I am now 63 years old, but when I was a little girl my mother would take me to Quality Candy every year at Easter. We would go to the store on Mitchell street a few weeks before Easter & wait in longs lines to get our candy but the wait was well worth it. Mom would buy whipped cream eggs, cream eggs & my Dad's favorite the marshmallow eggs. She would also get me a few of the nests with jelly beans which I truly loved. I can remember the purple & white boxes filled with candy on our dining room table waiting to be eaten on Easter Sunday. I love my childhood memories of Quality Candy & at 63 I still shop at Quality at Easter & throughout the year. I would love to win the Valentine Heart & have a new memory of Quality Candy -- this time not as a child but as a senior. Thank You."

Sandra M
Wisconsin
"When I was a little girl, my mom and I would take the streetcar to Mitchell Street for a day of shopping. Always, before our trip home my mom would stop at the Quality Candy shoppe to buy some Fairy Food chocolates just for me. As soon as we boarded the streetcar home I would open the little white bag and take a big bite of one of my Fairy Food chocolates. As it melted in my mouth, I would turn to my mom and ask her if my wings were showing yet? She'd say, "Almost". And when we finally reached our stop, and my bag was almost empty - I'd ask her again, "Did my wings grow yet?" As I'd jump down from the streetcar into her arms, she'd catch me and pick me up high in the air and would say, "Yes, I see now, you have your fairy wings and you can fly home with me." To this day, every time I go past a Quality Candy store, I stop in to buy myself some Fairy Food chocolates and it reminds me about those special times with my mom, which warms my heart and helps my wings to grow."

Cynthia M
Virginia Beach, VA
"I am 58 years old and my fondest memories involve the Quality Candy whipped cream Easter eggs. From the time I was little, I remember taking the city bus to the Quality Candy store on Mitchell St. with my dad. We would buy the exquisite eggs to put into the basket we took to church on Holy Saturday to be blessed. Oh, how I couldn't WAIT for Easter morning to come so I could finally eat my creamy eggs! Now, I am a grandmother, living a thousand miles away because the Milwaukee man I married 40 years ago, served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years and that's what took us eventually, to Virginia. I am SO delighted that I can order the very same Milk Chocolate Whipped Cream Eggs online and have them delivered to my children and grandchildren in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Now, they will also have wonderful memories of that very special holiday, Easter. Naturally, it just wouldn't be Easter, if I didn't order a box for myself! Thank you Quality Candy for still being there for our family!"

Ellen D
Oakton, VA
"Growing up in Wauwatosa, it was always such a special treat to go "downtown" by bus -- traveling down Center Street and then transferring at Sherman Avenue. This was always quite an "adventure." Without fail, my friends and I would stop in at the Buddy Squirrel Shop down on Wisconsin Avenue. I remember one night in particular (circa 1965) when we went to see "Othello" and made our requisite stop at Buddy Squirrel for freshly roasted peanuts. Ah, the aroma...better yet, the fabulous flavor! We also loved the delicious suckers. To this day, whenever I get to Wisconsin, I make it a point to visit the store at Mayfair. Wonderful treats with such great memories."

David G
Middleburg FL
"We lived in Milwaukee back in the 60's and always looked forward to the solid chocolate chicken and sheep, and the Whip Cream Eggs placed in our baskets on Easter morning. After all these years I looked you up hoping to revisit some delicious childhood memories. Thanks for the memories."

Maryann F
Slidell, LA
"When I was a child, it was the best part of Easter going to my grandparent’s house and finding the Marshmallow Eggs from Quality on a dish in the dining room. When I became a mother and grandmother, no matter where my family lived in this big world, while I lived in Milwaukee I sent them boxes of the Vanilla Whipped Eggs in light chocolate. Now that we are old and (re)tired, we hope someone will keep up the tradition and send some to us. While we traveled for 20 years with the US Air Force, Quality candy from home at Christmas and Easter was a taste of home."

Linda S
Milwaukee, WI
"My husband and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary, over the years we have faced unemployment, medical issues, hardships of many kinds but my husband always makes sure I get my Dark Chocolate Raspberry Jellie Squares for Valentine’s Day every year. I LOVE THEM....."

Loree R
Milwaukee, WI
"Waiting in line, the day after Easter, with my Grandmother, at Southgate Mall, barely able to hold in all the excitement I was feeling because I could smell the sweetness in the air... The bus ride home was much faster than the ride there, as I slowly ate my "huge" round vanilla milk whip cream egg...the best ever!"

Terry A
Franklin, WI
"Quality Candy isn't just memory making, it's Tradition. I remember when I was a child, we only got Quality Candy in our Easter Baskets, but boy, was it worth the wait. One year, I remember, all eight of us had our names on our whipped eggs! I have 7 brothers/sisters. Now, that I am an adult, I indulge myself more in Quality Candy, but I keep it a tradition to put it in my children’s Easter baskets and also for St. Nick, so they learned to appreciate the quality also. My son-n-law NEVER had Quality Candy until I put it in his St. Nick stocking - - - he was immediately hooked on Quality Candy. My daughter and new son-n-law live out of town, so every time they are in town or we go visit them, I have to take Quality Candy to them. So, the tradition and memory making continues on in our family! Thank You So Very Much for keeping the Quality in your candy and definitely making it worthwhile to purchase and most of all, to Enjoy. Thank You."

Christine M
Milwaukee, WI
"Since the early 1950's, my grandma Clara served Quality Candy Butter Almond Toffee on Christmas Day. When she was no longer able to get out and shop for it herself, I would buy her a box to share with the family. I continued to give my mother, (and now my aunts) toffee each and every Christmas (and sometimes on Valentine's Day), sending toffee as far away as Palm Springs CA. My mother would always tell us the story of the South side family that started the business. Now Quality tells that same story with a tag attached to each box of toffee!"

William R
Minooka, IL
"My favorite first memory of Buddy Squirrel is back in 1990 while I worked at the mall in Racine I would go to the Buddy Squirrel shop to buy snacks. The young lady who served me was so nice and friendly that I asked her out on a date - and now we have been married over 15 years. Not only do I love the nuts from Buddy Squirrel and the marvelous chocolate from Quality Candy but I will never forget the most important person in my life that I found by going to your store."

Diane B
Evergreen, CO
"I am 59 years old and have been buying Quality & Buddy Squirrel goodies since I was a teen working part-time at Capitol Court. I moved to California & then Colorado over 35 years ago, but I make sure I buy a hefty supply of Quality chocolates every time I come "home" to visit. I toured the factory & was so impressed with the family-like atmosphere and attention to detail. My 18-year old daughter has grown up a fan of Quality too, even though she has never lived in Wisconsin (her personal favorite is Fairy Food)."

Jill D
Milwaukee, WI
"Quality Candy has been with me and my family my whole life. My first memorable taste was biting into a milk chocolate candy with a gooey raspberry center. I was instantly hooked! Every family gathering included a box of Quality Candy chocolates. We all had our favorites and after awhile, we could all spot them from afar. "Oh, that's a vanilla center..." "No, wait, that's a maple." "There's the raspberry!" Every holiday, without a doubt, you could always count on Quality Candy and their great customer service. As years went by and families grew, there was always that token white box that brought stability and togetherness to our table. Thank you Quality Candy. Such a small delight brought smiles to so many faces throughout our years!"