Sweet revival: Iconic Clark Candies gets a refresh in Tarentum

Brett Luedde says he’s in the business of happiness.

The Highland Park native and his wife, Tera, have taken the reins at Clark Candies, a Tarentum institution churning out chocolates since 1937.

The East First Avenue factory was founded by Tera’s grandfather and great- uncles, and run for many years by her father, Robert.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to learn something new,” said Luedde, 54, who worked early on for ATI and then spent 20 years in technology sales.

“When people are having a good day or getting ready for a great occasion, we make products that bring smiles to their faces. If they’re having a hard day, they stop in and find a little bit of cheerfulness.”

The family-run business has operated from the same warehouse, across from Dreshar Stadium, since its beginning.

Local historian Cindy Homburg said it would be difficult to think of Tarentum without the Clark legacy.

“They have always been the place to go for good, fresh chocolate,” she said.

In recent years, however, there’s been little marketing or outreach to keep the company at the top of their game.

“We have a strong following of regulars, and we ship products across the country,” Luedde said. “But people locally weren’t sure if we were still around. We want to reintroduce ourselves.”

Pandemic shutdowns five years ago didn’t help business, said Robert Clark, of Harrison.

He took sole ownership of the company in 2002 after working there sporadically since childhood.

“Back then, every community had a candy shop,” Clark said. “My uncle learned from Maskas’, and after the flood came in 1936, he got the building a year later. It was a big business during the holidays — Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter and Mother’s Day — and he told us, ‘If you sell, you make money. If you don’t, you don’t make a penny.”

Clark found work outside the industry as an adult after returning from the service in 1970. He worked in sales at the Valley News Dispatch before returning to his roots in 1986.

By that time, Clark Candies had established itself as a stronghold in school fundraising. The family sold to 130 schools in Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia.

“I went between pounding the turf to taking care of my regulars and I enjoyed it,” Clark said.

“I remember one time carrying candy into Vandergrift Elementary — they had bought $60,000 worth of candy. Do you know how many boxes that was?”

Clark purchased the business in 2002 to keep it in the family but admits, “it was sort of hard, being by myself. Up until then it had always been my dad, uncle and cousins. I enjoyed keeping things rolling. I know it would make my dad proud.”

He called it a blessing that Luedde wants to reinvigorate the brand.

Part of the overhaul will include the opening of an ice cream cafe in the building that sits nearest to First Avenue. The company operated a similar business there two decades ago, but it has since been a revolving door of independently owned window-service restaurants.

It’s been vacant since late last year.

“We’re reviving something that was a pillar of the community, and we’re excited to bring some additional life there,” Luedde said.

A menu of hard scoop ice cream and grab-and-go sandwiches is expected to draw a crowd. Company-made chocolates will be available as ice cream toppings.

The opening date is contingent on obtaining permits from Allegheny County.

Inside the factory, a production line of employees still hand-makes and packages the chocolates, the same as in days gone by.

“We make a small batch process so no two pieces look exactly alike,” Luedde said. “If you go into a big store, you’ll see computer-controlled perfection. That’s not us.”

Top-selling items include peanut butter meltaways, cordial cherries and chocolate-covered caramels.

There currently are four employees, but Luedde expects to hire more in coming months after recently revamping the website and coordinating a social media push.

“We’re doing everything to let people know we are here,” he said.

Tarentum’s upcoming riverfront development, which will include bike trails and sports complexes, could be a boon to the company.

Luedde is kicking around the idea of hosting food trucks in the parking lot and plans to offer patio seating to attract people from Riverview Memorial Park.

“We’re in an ideal location to become a hub in the community,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity. We’re carrying on the legacy but reestablishing the name and the brand.

“We’re here to start the next 87 years.”