Johnny’s Candy Corner: Meet the legend behind the popular York Beach shop

Max Sullivan, Portsmouth Herald
·4 min read

YORK, Maine — While most of Short Sands Beach is quiet in the winter, Johnny’s Candy Corner is bustling with activity.

Owner Johnny Biagioni and his daughter Janie are busy making and stocking Christmas and Hanukkah candies for their customers.

Biagioni, a chocolatier, says December is a crucial month for his business.

“If you’re going to somebody’s house for Christmas, you can’t always bring them flowers,” says Biagioni from behind the counter of his beachside candy store.

Johnny Biagioni and his daughter Janie pose in front of Johnny’s Candy Corner, their family-owned candy store for 40 years.
Johnny Biagioni and his daughter Janie pose in front of Johnny’s Candy Corner, their family-owned candy store for 40 years.

Biagioni along with his wife and daughter have been working on Short Sands Beach for 43 years. While others sell candy nearby, Biagioni said he has become a mainstay in town for the quality of his chocolate and his wall of 70 flavors of soft taffy.

Johnny Biagioni, the owner of Johnny’s Candy Corner for four decades, smiles with his customers. His humor and kindness make him a beloved figure in the community.
Johnny Biagioni, the owner of Johnny’s Candy Corner for four decades, smiles with his customers. His humor and kindness make him a beloved figure in the community.

He's also good with people, and it shows. Children love him, and families return year after year to say hi. A wall in the back, dubbed the “Wall of Johnny,” displays photos of him with his customers and autographs from sports legends like Bruins goalie Gerry Cheevers.

“I’m a people person,” Biagioni said. “It’s been rewarding over the years.”

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Johnny’s Candy Corner a staple at York Beach

Biagioni was not always a chocolatier. He grew up near Boston and worked in trucking.

He said he lost his job when the industry was deregulated, which led to him finding other ways to make a living. His daughter remembers accompanying him as a child to sell jewelry in Massachusetts. He also sold newspapers.

“I never had to collect,” Biagioni said. “When I lost my job, I said we’ll find a way.”

Johnny Biagioni has owned Johnny’s Candy Corne for 43 years.
Johnny Biagioni has owned Johnny’s Candy Corne for 43 years.

The Biagionis were living in Arlington, Massachusetts, when they decided to open Potpourrie Gift Shop at York Beach. Biagioni was familiar with Maine from his prior job in trucking, and the family liked York as a vacation destination. He said they moved into their current space at 14 Railroad Ave. in 1980.

Biagioni recalled that the shop initially offered a variety of items, including candy, jewelry and T-shirts. However, as their candy sales increased, they gradually eliminated the other products and concentrated on candy. The store was rebranded as Johnny’s Candy Corner 26 years ago, he said.

In addition to their original shop, they expanded their business to Arlington, where Biagioni’s wife crafts most of their chocolates. They also own apartments in York, where Biagioni and his daughter often stay when they are making candy.

The variety of the taffy keeps customers coming back, he said. The taffy remains soft even when the room is cold, he said.

Biagioni said chocolate is their specialty.

“My wife makes the turtles. We make the fudge,” Biagioni said. “These are the good things.”

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Loyal customers keep Johnny's Candy Corner open year round

Biagioni cherishes the moments he shares with his loyal customers. He recalled how he greeted Leon Powe, a former Boston Celtics star, when he visited his shop on a hectic day. “It’s about time you showed up,” Biagioni joked to Powe, who towered over him at 6 feet 8 inches.

“I’ve got to get these light bulbs changed,” Biagioni said he told Powe.

He said Powe chuckled and has returned to Johnny’s Candy Corner more than once.

Johnny Biagioni, the owner of Johnny’s Candy Corner at York Beach for four decades, poses with his wall of photos. The wall showcases his customers, from sports celebrities to local families, who have shared their stories and memories with him.
Johnny Biagioni, the owner of Johnny’s Candy Corner at York Beach for four decades, poses with his wall of photos. The wall showcases his customers, from sports celebrities to local families, who have shared their stories and memories with him.

The Wall of Johnny features not only sports celebrities but also heartfelt messages from customers. One of them is a letter from a woman who brought her mother, a cancer patient, to the store. She thanked Biagioni for making her mother laugh for the first time in six months.

His daughter Janie said that connection with customers is what brings people back to the Candy Corner.

“Johnny’s a legend here in York Beach,” she said. “Mr. Wonderful. Loving, caring.”

Biagioni is not ready to stop making chocolates any time soon, but he said his daughter Janie will take over when he is. Janie currently works four days a week for the store and three days at her other job doing ultrasounds. Eventually, she will retire from ultrasound work to take the store on from her parents.

After all these years in York, Biagioni expressed gratitude for the life the beach town has given his family. He said even competitors like the Goldenrod, which sells its own taffy, have become friends. He said he still cannot believe it when people say they drove from Connecticut just to visit the shop.

“My three kids were brought up on this beach,” Biagioni said. “If I had my life to do it all over again, I would bring there again.”

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Johnny’s Candy Corner at York Beach open year round