It’s a DEAL! Candy.com Closes. And the Buyer is……

Good Afternoon Folks!!


One day they may write about this. How a small New England Candy company disrupted one of the largest and oldest industries in the world. Congratulations to Melville Candy Company of Massachusetts.


Rick Schwartz


G&J Holdings Announces the Purchase and Development of Candy.Com
BOSTON, MA — June 3, 2009 — G&J Holdings, LLC today announced the purchase and acquisition of the web domain Candy.Com and the development of a new internet based confections retailer d/b/a Candy.Com. A growing distribution channel that is here to stay, G&J Holdings, LLC has invested in Candy.com for the purchase price of $3,000,000. The new internet candy retailer will service the growing demand for consumers to find their favorite bulk, gourmet, and gift confectionary products with great service, a unique and social shopping experience, competitively priced products, and expedited shipping.
Candy is an American treat that everyone enjoys, whether at a birthday party, bar/bat mitzvah, corporate event, baby shower, wedding, or a holiday gift. Candy.com will provide unlimited access to confections from around the world with candy you remember as a child and even candy that is even healthy for you---all part of a new virtual candy store. With over 5,000 confectionary products, consumers will be sure find a fun treat to share with their family, co-workers and friends. The Candy.com team will add and update new products continuously to ensure customers have the latest and best products available from the confectionary world.
The vision of Candy.com is to provide the best online customer service candy shopping experience in the world. Confectionary products are what Candy.com will sell but the shopping experience will be the driving force behind its success including providing: live customer support online; toll free dedicated and trained customer support personnel; and quick E-Mail responses. Social shopping experiences will also be found at Candy.com including product reviews, blogs, and discussions boards creating an unparallel experience while shopping online for tasty candy products.
Perhaps the most important features of Candy.com will be its expedited shipping and competitively price products. With partner distributors in California and Virginia, along with Candy.com’s main location in Massachusetts, US customers will enjoy shipping anywhere in the United States in four days or less and in most cases two days or less. Candy.com has also partnered with a Canadian distributor to supply an international reach to customers. Prices will be competitive with distribution channels both online and off. Customer will feel secure in knowing that Candy.com has negotiated the best rates for their purchases with manufactures and suppliers to bring all candy products allowing easy, quick and enjoyable one-stop shopping.
Candy.com was founded by two highly experienced confectionary executives Joe Melville, CEO of Melville Candy Corporation & Greg Balestrieri, Vice President of Melville Candy Corporation—the 30 year old family-owned candy manufacturing company owned by Gary Melville. Greg Balestrieri will assume the role of President of G&J Holdings. Plans to launch the site are slated for July 1st, 2009.


Candy.com is the second largest domain purchase of 2009 selling for $3,000,000 second only to Toys.com ($5,100,000) to Toys R Us. One of the top 15 reported domain sales ever. With over 800,000 searches for the word candy online each month Candy.com will fill orders and provide information and resources related to all things candy.


The domain was purchased from a Florida based domain holding company run by legendary domainier Rick Schwartz (WorkSmarter.com) aka “Domain King” who last year sold the iReport.com domain to CNN for $750,000 and Property.com to Foreclosure.com for an undisclosed amount believed to be one of the most lucrative domain deals ever. Moniker.com was responsible for the escrow of the Multi-million dollar deal and was the final lynch pin in putting this acquisition together. Trinity Law Group, LLC which specializes in startups and emerging business provided the necessary documentation to complete such a deal.