Seneca Niagara Casino Celebrates Grand Opening of Watson's Chocolates Boutique

NIAGARA FALLS, NY – A trip to Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel just got a little bit sweeter. Casino officials today officially welcomed Watson’s Chocolates Boutique as the latest addition to the property’s growing retail corridor along the 4th Street side. The store will be open seven days a week and adds a full-time and part-time job for the company.

For Tonawanda-based Watson’s Chocolates, the boutique marks the company’s ninth location in Western New York since its beginnings in 1946 and first addition in nearly a decade – as it has recently focused its efforts on web-based, catalog and mail order business. Watson’s is especially known for its sponge candy, Buffalo Bites, and chocolate-covered pretzels and popcorn.

“We are thrilled to be opening this beautiful new boutique at Seneca Niagara Casino,” said Whitney Watson Beecher, president and owner of Watson’s Chocolates. “While we are very well-known locally, this is a unique opportunity for us to increase our exposure to the huge number of tourists that visit the Niagara Falls region and to promote our business and products to a much broader market.”

Watson’s Chocolates Boutique joins Yankee Candle Boutique, Swarovski Crystal Boutique, the co-branded Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop / Cold Stone Creamery dining outlet and the TEN store as new additions since 2010. Combined, the outlets created more than 30 new jobs.

“The new boutique came to fruition because we listened to our guests,” said Karen Karsten, chairman, Seneca Gaming Corporation. “In a [AAA] Four-Diamond resort as action-packed as Seneca Niagara Casino with great gaming, dining and entertainment, chocolate adds to the excitement. But it can’t be just any chocolate – it has to be quality. We’ve carried Watson’s for a few years at our 24-hour NewsStand store, and it’s consistently one of the first products to sell out. Now, instead of a small shelf, we have a whole outlet dedicated to Watson’s.”

According to Cathy Walker, president and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation, retail sales at Seneca Niagara have increased dramatically since 2010, and the three boutiques that were all added since late November 2010 – Swarovski, Yankee Candle and now Watson’s Chocolates – will generate additional growth.

“With minimal overhead costs and smart planning, we’ve brought a once-empty space to life and created jobs during what some consider a down economy,” Walker said. “We’re continuing to explore additional quality retailers for all Seneca Casino properties, and our guests will play a major role with influencing what comes next. The latest addition with such an outstanding regional chocolatier is, indeed, a sweet one.”

Watson’s hours will coincide with its neighboring boutiques – noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Items range from around $2 to $20 and up for gift baskets, and may be purchased with cash, credit cards or Seneca Players Club Points. For more information, please visit www.watsonschocolates.com or www.senecaniagaracasino.com/retail_watsons.cfm.

Pictured, from left, with a casino-themed basket of chocolates are: Cathy Walker, president and CEO, Seneca Gaming Corporation; Karen Karsten, chairman, Seneca Gaming Corporation, and; Whitney Watson Beecher, president and owner, Watson’s Chocolates.
Provided by Seneca Gaming Corp.