Pa. candy shop owner accused of sexually harassing, soliciting underage girls

The owner of a Bucks County candy and ice cream shop is accused of sexually harassing two underage girls who worked for him and offering them money and drugs in exchange for sex.

Joseph Grossman, 36, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, was the owner of Poppy’s Peanuts, a shop at the Quakertown Farmer’s Market on 201 Station Road in Quakertown that sells peanuts, chocolate and ice cream. The investigation began in June 2025 when a 17-year-old girl who worked for Grossman told police that he frequently made inappropriate comments towards her and touched her legs and back.

After the girl quit, Grossman allegedly continued to pursue her and message her on social media. During one occasion, Grossman pulled out cash and offered her $300 as well as marijuana for the girl to have sex with him, investigators said.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.

The girl refused and told her mother which led to the investigation, according to officials. Grossman was then arrested on Aug. 15 and charged with promoting the prostitution of a minor and corruption of minors.

Following his arrest, a second 17-year-old girl who once worked for Grossman came forward with similar allegations. The girl told police that while she worked for Grossman, he repeatedly made sexual comments towards her and grabbed her hips, back and shoulders. The girl said that while Grossman didn’t offer her money, he gave her drugs.

Joseph Grossman, the owner of Poppy’s Peanuts in Quakertown, is accused of sexually harassing two of his underage employees and trying to get them to have sex with him by offering drugs and money. NBC10’s Deanna Durante has the details.

“Not only did he continue to pursue her sexually and make the comments and physically touch her body, but he also provided her with drugs,” Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said during a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 2. “On one occasion she said at the closing of the business for the evening, he lit up a pipe and had her ingest the contents of that pipe which smelled like marijuana but she said it was so potent that it made her feel very dizzy and it made her feel unsafe.”

Schorn said Grossman continued to sexually pursue the girl on the social media app Snapchat after she quit her job. The girl then found out about his arrest.

“When she and her mother learned of the arrest and victimization of another victim, they too came forward and an investigation followed into her victimization,” Schorn said.

Grossman was then charged with additional counts of corruption of minors. A preliminary hearing for Grossman was held on Sept. 18, 2025, and all charges against him were held for trial.

“We’re confident that once all of the facts are known, that the facts will prove that our client is innocent of the charges against him,” Grossman’s attorney, Thomas Joachim, told NBC10.

Grossman is currently out on $25,000 bail with the provision of no contact with minors. Investigators are currently concerned that other victims are out there.

“This is a business that largely caters to families, to children,” Schorn said. “It’s an ice cream shop. It’s an old-fashioned candy shop and he employs minors. His behavior was ongoing for several months, we have concerns there may be other victims and that’s why we’re appealing to the community.”

If you were victimized by Grossman or know someone who was, please contact Richland Township Police Detective Matthew Lawhead at 215-536-9500. All calls can remain anonymous.