Specialty Confections Distributor Building New HQ in New York

Wythe Will Tzetzo (WWT) LLC, a distributor of candy, confections and specialty foods, is moving to Tonawanda, N.Y., from its previous home base in Virginia. 

The company will take up residence in the new North Youngmann Commerce Centre. The 310,000-square-foot facility will serve as WWT’s headquarters as well as a production and warehouse center. 

The Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) approved a package of tax abatements to assist construction of an $18.7 million home for the company. WWT is a national packager and distributor of branded, unbranded and private-label candy, confections and specialty foods. Some of its high-profile brands include Ghirardelli, Godiva, Jelly Belly, and Harry and David.

The ECIDA’s $5.1 million package of real estate, sales and mortgage recording tax abatements will assist WWT and project partner, Williamsville, N.Y.-based Zaepfel Development, create a single local site for the food company, combining operations now housed in leased facilities in Tonawanda, Cheektowaga and Buffalo, N.Y.

The company, which currently employs 165 full-time and 105 part-time workers, plans to add 20 full-time and 30 part-time staffers when the new facility is operational.

WWT will also move its corporate headquarters from Williamsburg, Va., to the Two Mile Creek Road site. It will retain operations and manufacturing facilities in Virginia, California and Tennessee.

The company gained New York state ties in 2011 when Wythe Will bought Tzetzo Brothers Inc., a local confectionery company founded in 1904.