Sweet Tale for Musician, Programmer & Florist

What do a musician, computer programmer and floral designer have in common?
Well, in this sweet and entertaining tale, it's movies and candy.

Andy Kasparian, the keyboard player, first met Joe Scavitto, the tech guy, when the two were working together in the late 80s at a United Artists movie theater in Lawrence Park, Pa.

"Every time I got transferred I transferred him with me because you're only as good as the people around you," said Andy.

In the early 90s, Andy met Pam Roberts, a floral designer, when the two of them were working at a movie theater in Pennsauken.

In 1996 Andy decided to leave the movie theater business.

"I didn't want to work for other people anymore," he said.

And the three of them bought in the Village Center on Bristol Road.

"We bought it and we kept the name," Andy said. "We had run concession stands in the movie theaters, which make $4 to $5 million a year, and thought we should be able to run a candy store. ... And we're quick studies. We attend seminars and workshops."

Sixteen years later, as they say, the proof is in the pudding ... or perhaps in the butter creams, as Gabe's door remains open where the original business started in 1991.

Bensalem is a "great area" for Gabes, not only because of its proximity to Philadelphia.

"It has changed a lot. It's no longer a little farm community, so more folks have good disposable income," Andy said.

That's not to say the recent recession hasn't affected the bottom line. But, like movie theaters, not as much as other businesses.

"Everybody wants something to make them feel good," said Andy.

About a year into their new venture, the trio made another big decision.

"We decided to go into the manufacture of candy," said Andy. "There's more of a profit margin and you can control the product."

Their manufacturing facility on Haunted Lane in the township spans 14,000 square feet that includes six chocolate melting tanks that can hold 3,000 pounds of of liquid chocolate. The production includes not only their own products but candies for other companies along with packaging for such firms as Mrs. Fields.

Whereas some of their customers opt for the least expensive concoctions, Gabe's specializes in a high-quality tempered chocolate with a cocoa butter base.

Asked about his competition, Andy said, "There's enough for everybody in this business. Some people like Cadillacs and some like Lincolns."

Andy, who serves as the first vice president of the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia, adds that "Pennsylvania is the snack capital of the world," with residents eating 15-percent more pretzels than any other state and many chocolate companies calling the Keystone State their home.

Speaking of pretzels, Gabe's biggest seller is the chocolate-covered variety. After that, it's butter creams. And there's a large case filled with sugar-free delights.

"We try to have something for everybody," Andy said.

And returning to the trio's roots, he added:

"It's all part of the entertainment industry," he said.

"If you think about it, candy stores and the entertainment industry share a common theme to make the consumer feel better.

For more information and to order up to 40 varieties of chocolate, log on to thechocolatestore.com.