On a summer day in 1988, Carl Richardson and Richard Carlson both headed to the county fair. A contest to win a new truck was being featured – where contestants placed a hand on it, crowning victory to the last participant left touching. Carl and Richard both entered and as the hours passed, they became fast friends. They came to realize they shared a passion for travel and trying new sweets. They decided that if one of them won the truck, they would use it to travel cross country looking for the best candies each state had to offer. Carl successfully outlasted his opponents, so he and Richard packed up their new truck and prepared for the road trip of a lifetime. After visiting just their 6th state, Carl and Richard decided they should open a mobile candy store featuring their discoveries.

In the months and years since winning the truck, Carl and Richard have served some of the highest quality candies from their road trip passed. In September 1990, the Campus Candy Car found its home around the local college campuses of Buffalo, NY. Both men were born and raised in Buffalo, finding it fitting to keep their business in their beloved city.

Why college campuses, you might ask? Carl and Richard recalled that their college days are when they craved a sugar rush most. They also felt that a quick candy pick-me-up lead to happier, more optimistic students. The Campus Candy Car is not just for students, however. All faculty, staff and surrounding neighbors are welcome to visit for a sweet treat.

Carl and Richard were only able to put 48 candies on their market; unable to find what they were looking for in Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia. In the upcoming year, their goal is to find the perfect signature candy for those states. They also plan to expand the Campus Candy Car business to other states by having each of their sons open and operate his own car.