Meet Kathy Galgczy of Bakers Candies

Kathy Galgczy, of Bakers Candies, is the epitome of what is good in Collinwood. Bakers Candies originally started in 1921 on Lexington and 55th, moved to Collinwood in 1946, at 1613 Holmes Ave., and has been a Collinwood business ever since. In 1995, they opened up a satellite store in Willoughby Hills on Chardon Rd. The business spans three generations in the Collinwood area, and their main plant still remains on Holmes Ave.

Recently, the family business decided to create a fundraiser for the Cleveland Food Bank, selling solid chocolate hippopotamuses, inspired by the Christmas song, "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas." 

I went to the Holmes Ave. store to meet Kathy and buy a few of the little chocolate animals for my darling nieces. They were a big hit! Apparently the public took a fancy to them as well, for they sold over 1800 during the holiday season. Another big hit is the Whipped Eggs, which many other companies buy from them and repackage.

For the sake of this column, I must say I got a little history lesson on my visit to Bakers Candies. Kathy told me about some of the other nearby businesses in the South Collinwood area and about all of the work that St. Mary’s and Holy Redeemer churches are doing in the neighborhood. After talking for awhile, we both realized we knew some of the same people from another decade in the Collinwood area. She is a member of the Collinwood Alumni and talked about some of the gatherings that still go on at Frankie’s in the Eastlake/Willoughby area.

With Easter just around the corner, I hope that many of the readers will be glad to know that Bakers Candies is just around the corner.

Here are Kathy's questions:

1) What is your greatest achievement:
 
Raising my family. There were certainly some bumps in the road and sometimes it takes you awhile to realize you are on the right road, but they are both educated, married and gave me four beautiful grandchildren.
 
2) What do you value most in your friends?

I trust them.  I never give up my friends, as they will always be there for you in good as well as bad times.
 
3) What is your most treasured possession?

 My grandchildren, they are my life.
 
4) What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel is my greatest extravagance. I love planning trips. My aim is to see all 7 continents: 3 down (Africa, Europe, North America), 4 to go. I would eventually like to see all of them, well at least South America, Asia and Australia. I would also like to visit all 50 states; I like different places. There is so much to see in this world.
 
5) Who are your heroes?

My parents and grandparents. My grandparents were immigrants with elementary school educations, but hard work, strong morals and work ethics allowed them to start a new life in a new country, which they passed onto my parents and me.
 
6) What makes you unique?

I'm not, I think I am like most people my age. I've worked hard, raised my family and provided for them. It wasn't easy, but life isn't easy. Things worth having aren't easy to acquire. You have to work and earn what you want. I hope and think I passed this on to my children.
 
7) If you could, what is the one thing that you would change about yourself?

Nothing, I think that life takes you in different directions, it’s up to you to make the right decisions and the best of situations. It’s a learning process and you need to learn throughout life.
 
8) What's your favorite word?

“Panache,” I like the sound of it plus it means you have it all or that thing.... you know, “IT.”