Buddy Squirrel: Home of Quality Candy and Premium Nuts. Quality Candy's history dates back to 1916, when Joseph and Lottie Helminiak created a confectionery company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The young Polish immigrants began manufacturing and selling their fine chocolate confections on the cobblestone streets of West Mitchell Street, a popular shopping area at the time. In 1952, as the business grew and they added new retail locations, the Company moved to a larger kitchen on South 5th Street. In the 1960's, Quality Candy purchased Buddy Squirrel of Wisconsin, a nut roasting and gourmet popcorn operation. In 1985, the Company moved to its current location in St. Francis and combined the operations of Quality Candy and Buddy Squirrel. In 2010, after being owned and managed by three generations of the Helminiak family, the Company was sold to group of local investors led by Trevor D’Souza and Richard Koenings. The Company has retail stores in the Milwaukee area, and a growing wholesale and private label business. Fairy Food(TM), Pecan caramel Tads, cordials, butter almond toffee, crèmes, nougats, meltaways, and nut clusters; are made using the original recipes and the highest quality ingredients. The confection centers are handmade in individual batches and then drenched in velvety smooth pure Swiss style milk and dark chocolate. The gourmet cheese and caramel corn are legendary, and the premium nuts are sourced from around the world and then roasted in the factory.