Velatis In The News - Goochland Gazette

The Goochland GAZETTE
December 14, 2002

D.C. Candy Icon Sets Up Shop in Goochland County
By Matthew Philips

For many who grew up around Washington, D.C., the name Velatis conjures up fond memories of enjoying warm caramel and chocolate candies after a cold winter’s day spent shopping. During its more than century-long tenure in the downtown D.C. area, The Original Velatis Inc. truly became a Washington tradition. For more than 100 years, Velatis cooked and sold their world famous candies to Washingtonians. The candy company established itself as an endearing and beloved member of the D.C. area, as people from all over the word came to love their all-natural candies. Among some of the more loyal patrons of Velatis over the years have been presidents Woodrow Wilson and Andrew Johnson, actress Kim Novak, and even the Queen of England.

But before The Original Velatis ever became a D.C. icon, it was a modest Richmond-based candy store. Now, more than 130 years after the business left Richmond for the D.C. market, Velatis is back in Virginia and has made its home right here in quaint Goochland County.

It all started in the mid-1800’s when Salvator Velati immigrated from Turin, Italy to Richmond. Among other things, Velati brought with him an age-old European recipe for making caramel candies. Prior to the Civil War, he began making and selling the candies in downtown Richmond. But due to a fire that destroyed the store in 1866, Velatis packed up and moved his store to 620 9th Street N.W., located in the heart of what would later become a vibrant downtown district.

In 1972, the D.C. area began construction on its underground metro system. Though the Velatis store had been deemed a historic site, the location was damaged during the construction and to the sadness of many, the building was eventually torn down. The Velatis family began selling their candies at local department store retailer Woodworth & Lothrop (Woody’s affectionately) and eventually sold the business to the department store in the early 1980’s.

Woodworth went bankrupt in 1995, and the Velatis recipes and brand name was subsequently bought by the Servais family, D.C. natives and longtime Velatis connoisseurs. After a brief stint marketing the products from the Tampa, Florida area, the Servais family began looking to return the company to its Virginia roots. Owners William and Jan Servais were living in Manakin and saw Goochland as an ideal headquarters. They have been moving in since early this fall, and so far, the response has been very positive.

“We’ve really received a huge response,” said William Servais. “We’ve had a lot of folks come in who remember the candies from when they were little and are just very excited that Velatis is back in Virginia.”