Era: 1903-1989
Location: 205 N Washington St, Owosso, MI
In the early 1900s, brothers Harry and Peter Capitan arrived in Owosso from Greece, bringing with them old-world candy-making traditions that would delight generations of local residents.
The Sugar Bowl opened at 205 North Washington Street. In 1927, the brothers could be found behind their soda fountain, with oysters on the menu and a candy counter stretching along the left side of the store.
The Capitan candy operation was legendary: Christmas production included 3 to 21-foot long candy canes, hard candies, peanut brittle, and coconut brittle—all made in big copper kettles. Annual output reached four tons (8,000 pounds) of candy in 5,000 boxes, plus 3,000 boxes of hand-dipped chocolates shipped throughout the United States. April Fools Day brought chocolate-covered beans, cardboard, and garlic cloves for pranksters.
In 1946, Peter sons Alex and Jim Capitan took over. On a bitter cold February morning in 1948, fire destroyed The Sugar Bowl along with neighboring Gute Drug Store. The family rebuilt as Capitan Restaurant.
Jim Capitan served as Mayor of Owosso for six years. When he retired in 1989, it marked the end of an 86-year family business that had sweetened life in Owosso across nearly a century.