Andy Karandzieff comes by his sweet tooth naturally—it’s part of the family business, after all. In 1913, his grandfather, Harry Karandzieff, opened Crown Candy Kitchen with his best friend, Pete Jugaloff. And ever since, the confectionery and diner has been a staple in North St. Louis, earning generations of loyal customers thanks to its sweet treats, classic menu and soda fountain favorites. Karandzieff is proud to continue the tradition and build upon the legacy established by his father and grandfather.
Growing up, Karandzieff was, well, a kid in a candy shop. “When I was little, I just got to run amok,” he recalls. “Hanging out in the shop, there was ice cream and candy—what more could you ask for?” Around the age 13, he was given his first job at Crown Candy Kitchen: working the soda fountain. He then moved on to helping make Easter candy. “That was the start of my career,” he says. “It was cool. I learned a lot at an early age, and I met so many interesting people.”
Karandzieff did consider other career options outside of Crown Candy Kitchen. However, while attending community college, he was uncertain of what path to take and opted to return to the family business. “I was 19 and didn’t know better, so I figured I could do what I knew and not have to work too hard,” he notes. “Forty-eight years of working 12-hour days later, I know better now, but I not only survived, I thrived. I wouldn’t change a thing. Crown Candy Kitchen is my family’s legacy. It’s 113 years of us being on this corner in this community.”…