Established in 1956, Buffett’s Candies has long been a cherished family-owned institution in Albuquerque. To build on their legacy, the owners embarked on creating a flagship store and state-of-the-art candy-making facility in the NE Heights. This new venture aims to elevate Buffett’s branding and enable statewide and eventually nationwide retail expansion.
The design of the new retail space, spanning approximately 2,000 square feet, celebrates Buffett’s original 1950s-era style with custom retail displays, large-scale wall graphics and bespoke lighting. The design fosters an interactive customer experience through several strategically placed viewing windows into the production areas, allowing patrons to observe the candy-making process.
The vibrant colors, high ceilings, 1950’s vibe, and direct viewing of the candy-making areas of the candy store offer customers a sensationally sweet experience. Chocolates are available either pre-packaged or personally packed in a space that supports the intimate, handcrafted Buffett’s charm that New Mexicans have come to love. Atomic era light fixtures, fonts and graphic motifs echo the strong branding theme.
The new facility significantly increases production capacity with updated machinery while preserving traditional methods. The facility houses tanks capable of holding thousands of pounds of milk and dark chocolate, alongside a machine that produces several pounds of chocolate per minute.
The second floor includes additional office and storage space, with plans for a drive-thru for order pickups. The renovated facility successfully blends nostalgic elements with modern functionality, ensuring Buffett’s Candies honors its heritage while looking towards a dynamic future.
Square Feet: 18,500 sq. ft.
