Easter traditions carry on at Kelly’s Country Store

by Kathy Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, March 30, 2007

The Easter room at Kelly’s Country Store, 3121 Grand Island Blvd., is filled with candy, bunnies and signs of the season.

It’s the first Easter season at Kelly’s Country Store without its beloved founder, Walt Kelly. Having founded the child- and tour-bus-friendly store that’s famous for its wide assortment of candy and country-style gifts, Walt Kelly passed away in July 2006. He leaves memories and a legacy to four generations of Kellys.

Kelly’s Country Store began as a one-room enterprise at its current location on Grand Island Boulevard in 1962. Walt Kelly, along with his wife, Grace, added product and space to the store over the years, until his retirement in 1983. His son, Mike, now runs the operation, which, at this time of year, features literally hundreds of traditional and unique hand-molded chocolates.

Described by loyal employees as “always busy” and “the best Santa Claus ever” in the Christmas Room for hundreds of children over the years, Walt Kelly put countless hours making sure that children enjoyed all holidays at his store. At Easter, the Christmas Room is transformed into the Easter Room, with a special display window dedicated this year to Walt, himself.

Mike Kelly says of his father: “He loved our customers,” and even in retirement would return from Florida to Grand Island to oversee and help out in holiday seasons. He often directed customers into parking places in the store’s front and side lots during the busiest of times.

“The neatest thing he used to do,” remembers his son, “was to dress in a scarecrow costume in the fall, and he waved at the children passing by on school buses.”

In recent years, Kelly’s Country Store expanded its operations to the Broadway Market at 999 Broadway in the city of Buffalo. Both locations have Kelly’s famous chocolates, basket items and jelly beans. For more information, call 773-0003 or visit www.kellyscountrystore.com.

The Easter Bunny is available for visits at the Grand Island store Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The daily store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Easter store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Look for the big stuffed bunny with the name tag that says “Walt.”