Thank you for a fantastic 2023 and before we look to 2024, I want to reflect on the many things we accomplished last year.

First, we celebrated 85 years of business! What an exciting accomplishment, right? We sought to celebrate and recognize this in so many ways, month after month with a new and exciting way to celebrate. We released new products of Platter’s Swag, had Sweet Giveaways, shared Platter’s Special moments, held an Ice Cream Challenge, and even held a citywide scavenger hunt with stops at our partners (listed below) who have helped us reach this feat. 

Shout out to:

• Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawanda’s
  
• Buffalo Bison Baseball
  
• Destination Niagara
  
• Forno E Gelato (Frankie Primos)
  
• Fattey Beer Co. – Wurlitzer
  
• Herschell Carousel Museum
  
• Identity Ink
  
• New Day Coffee Roasters

We held contests and gave away 85th anniversary products and baskets! Brought in tastings tables to our 2nd annual Customer Appreciation Event, gave away Platter’s logo bars and coffee mugs to our online customers so you too could celebrate in our 85th celebrations.

In 2023, WNY recognized us with a few amazing awards! Awards where the community nominates and then votes on “best of” categories. Thank you, Western New York, for choosing Platter’s Chocolate Factory as:

• Best of WNY 2023 – Sponge Candy
  
• Best of 716 2023 – Chocolate
  
• Best of 716 2023 – Sponge Candy
  

This does not get lost on us and we appreciate the recognition. So again, I say thank you.

Another amazing opportunity comes to us in how we can support the community. This year our Sponge Candy 5k raised $10,000 for Special Olympics WNY. We brought a one mile walk to this event for the first time ever and will continue to offer this! We had a record breaking 350 runners and walkers combined that participated. This is an event that the North Tonawanda community should be proud of.

This is not the only way we have had the opportunity to give. We donated baskets, chocolate bars, suckers, candy trays, etc. valued over $25,000, and supporting over 200 organizations to help them reach their fundraising goals to support their missions. Some big, some small, non-profits, schools, and sports affiliates, nonetheless, organizations we all know and love. Just to name a few:

• Buffalo History Museum
• Olivia’s Bears
• Kevin Guest House
• Hamburg HS AOF
• Wheatfield Blades Hockey
• Glory be to Kids

The opportunity to bring events to North Tonawanda and the Wurlitzer Building gives us great pleasure. Hosting the Easter Bunny, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the Irish Dancers. Watching our Readings with Sammy grow month after month. The history tours in our beautiful building give us the opportunity to talk about the deep history and contribution of Wurlitzer himself. The Sip n’ Shops co-hosted with the local wineries from the Niagara Wine Trail, and the tasting at Fattey Beer of our dessert beers brewed by our partners at Ellicottville Brewing Co. (EBC) has all been a huge hit! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Sammy Sponge’s birthday party too. 

We open our doors and invite our community in to experience in community. Through over 50 events we hosted last year down to the way the space is designed with fireplaces, indoor/outdoor seating, and the new tables we purchased where you and your large group can belly up and share a coffee or ice cream. 

We are not sure what 2024 has in store for us but there is one thing for sure, we can’t do any of this without YOU! Thank you for inviting us into your homes, and making Platter’s Chocolate Factory a part of your family traditions. Cheers to 2024, may this be the best year yet!

Heidi Urban
Platter’s Chocolate Factory