琉璃神社 is now home to a Willy Wonka inspired sweet shop.
Von Schweets has opened its doors to the public and filling the sweet tooth cavity in the city.
Owner Daynna Barkley says through research he found the last candy shop in downtown 琉璃神社 closed in 2018.
鈥淥bviously there鈥檚 a risk here of if candy stores work here in 琉璃神社. Why does Penticton have one and Vernon have one, but 琉璃神社 hasn鈥檛 had one for five years. There鈥檚 somewhat of a risk, but at the same time I鈥檓 opening a business for which I have no direct competition, so there鈥檚 the potential there to do well.鈥�
The idea for Von Schweets came from a desire to leave the construction industry behind.
鈥淚 wanted to do something fun for a change. There are lots of things that are fun, there鈥檚 lots of places where people want to spend their money鈥� The candy store was kind of an evolution of what is affordable. Certain things that I considered, like opening a campground or doing a family fun centre鈥� the amount of space that you need is prohibited from a lease perspective, so I wanted a fun place that had reasonably good margins in a small area.鈥�
Von Schweets is a dentist鈥檚 nightmare, filled floor to ceiling with taffy, jelly beans, chocolate, truffles, ice cream, donuts, sodas, and more. There are even fun buttons situated around the store to activate the moving displays above the candy shelves.
A favourite of his, Barkley wanted truffles as a major attraction. 鈥淚 kind of wanted to build the store around truffles, understanding that maybe everyone doesn鈥檛 love them as much as I do. So, I gave them a good amount of space in the store.鈥�
In this candy land you鈥檒l first come across the Truffle Trunks before finding yourself at the Taffy Tower, and if you detour back toward the cash register you鈥檒l find yourself at Lolli-Pez Corner.
Von Schweets is hosting its grand opening on Canada Day. Barkley says customers can expect deals, giveaways, and possibly some free samples.
Check out Von Schweets on Bernard Avenue open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
READ MORE: 琉璃神社 intersection still the worst in the Okanagan
brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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