Since owners Barb and Ken Marquardt posted a notice on the door of their shop that Sweet Delights Candy Store would be closing permanently, theyB次元官网网址檝e sold candy at a rate that would have kept the shop in business.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a bittersweet irony thatB次元官网网址檚 not lost on Barb Marquardt, though she is only grateful for the shopB次元官网网址檚 eight-year run.
The Sweet Delights Candy Store on the corner of Hampshire Road and Oak Bay Avenue will close its doors for the last time on Friday (Feb. 21).
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The B次元官网网址榯hank yousB次元官网网址� have been plentiful. The store has seen a steady stream of customers sharing their praise and non-customers who appreciated the effort of a small business on Oak Bay Avenue.
B次元官网网址淲e loved what we did and weB次元官网网址檙e happy to end on a high note,B次元官网网址� Marquardt said. B次元官网网址淢y husband is 65. HeB次元官网网址檚 been working since he was nine years old. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a joy.B次元官网网址�
After eight years in Oak Bay, Barb Marquardt is opening the doors to the Sweet Delights Candy Store for the last time on Friday.
B次元官网网址� Oak Bay B次元官网网址 (@OakBayB次元官网网址)
"We sold out of all our candy, we only have store items left and what we don't sell we will move at the Feb. 29 Oak Bay Rummage sale."
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 nothing left,B次元官网网址� Marquardt said. B次元官网网址淲e never even put the candy on sale. People just showed up and bought it all, stocking up on their favourites.B次元官网网址�
Everything in the store is for sale. On Tuesday a man purchased the security mirror for $10. The racks, the wall hangers and display cases are also for sale. What doesnB次元官网网址檛 sell by Friday will likely show up at the Giant Rummage Sale in Monterey Recreation Centre on Feb. 29, Marquardt said.
The idea started 12 years ago when the Marquardts relocated to Victoria from Alberta. At the end of their daughterB次元官网网址檚 first school year they wanted to continue a tradition of purchasing a candy bouquet that all the teachers at the school could share.
They searched, but found no one in Greater Victoria who knew what a candy bouquet was, let alone how to make them. So they found a candy bouquet-making franchise online and started making candy bouquets in their basement. It was successful enough they started a kiosk in Hillside shopping centre.
B次元官网网址淪lowly, we started adding nostalgic candy brands that we remembered, and people liked it,B次元官网网址� Marquardt said.
After three years as a mall kiosk it was successful enough they gambled on a storefront.
B次元官网网址淲e wanted a space big enough and accessible enough that anyone with a wheelchair or mobility issues [could stop by],B次元官网网址� Marquardt said. B次元官网网址淪ome of the candies people are coming for are selling for 25 cents each and weB次元官网网址檙e making five cents on that. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why you see candy stores that are packed with a lot of [inventory] in a small space.B次元官网网址�
In Oak Bay, vegan candy became one of their staples.
B次元官网网址淰egan and gluten free,B次元官网网址� Marquardt said. B次元官网网址淲e did the work to make sure we had safe products for people who suffer allergies, and because of it we had regulars.B次元官网网址�
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The only candy left in the store are hard-shell penny candies flavoured with cinnamon and ouzo, though there is still a collection of vintage Pez dispensers. ThereB次元官网网址檚 also the store sign which served as a gentle reminder to parents to keep an eye on their kids in the candy store.
B次元官网网址淭his sign, seriously [pictured],B次元官网网址� Marquardt said. B次元官网网址淪o many people asked me about it when we were open. We had offers on it. I said itB次元官网网址檚 not for sale.B次元官网网址�
Thinking it was in demand, Marquardt stuck a $20 price tag on it but, as of Tuesday afternoon, no one had taken it home. Friday is the last chance.
The Sweet Delights Candy Store is in suite 113 at 2187 Oak Bay Ave. until Friday.
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