Video: Coney Island’s Williams Candy Carries On After Sandy

We came across this beautiful short film made about the 74-year-old Williams Candy (1318 Surf Ave) that highlights there return to business following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.

The film, posted by NY Eater and created by The Brooklyn Ink, centers on an interview with store owner Peter Agrapides. The straightforward Agrapides, who has been operating the store for 29 years, describes his love and passion for the business.

“I built this store, I’m not going to love it? We’re an old fashioned store, a family store. The store is 74-years-old. My mommy used to bring me here 60 years ago,” Agrapides declares.

The mouthwatering images of jelly apples, sprinkles, golden popcorn and candy jars were contrasted by the sad story Agrapides described of the sorry state Sandy left the store in last October.

“When I came over here, it was like a war-zone. The refrigerators were swimming, five-feet of water, the big refrigerators, the big boxes, they were upside down. Friends of mine came in, they help us out, clean it out. Whatever I had, I put into it, and also, my family helped me, friends. Wherever I could get some cash, they gave it to me…Here we are again, we are in business, we did it in two and a half months. You put the apron on, you make money. That’s the way it’s done, that’s the proper way to do it.”