Sweet Success: An Inside Look at Dessart Candy Shop's Nostalgic Charm

Business and Background

How did you get started in the candy business?

I kinda leap into it. My father-in-law owned the business, and it was an ice cream window for a few years. He kind of inherited the equipment, I think he paid the cost of the equipment at the time, anyway. He actually asked my friend if she wanted to run it, and then they had the idea to bring in high-end candy to make it a year-round business, and she ended up having to back to work, she was a teacher, so then I took over. That’s how that happened. I knew when I took over that retro candy was starting to become a big thing, and the old nostalgic candy was super fun for people. I knew I wanted to bring that in, as well as the Dutch licorice because I knew there were tons of different kinds, and that was really cool.

So when it was just the ice cream shop, it was only open in the summer? When did it fully open?

I think Sarah opened in 2000, and did the renovations in the winter, then they opened the front in 2001. I did all the painting and everything. The exterior, I just did a [social media] post [sharing] where I was just starting to paint it, and it was around this time of year. It was so dead and I had to keep myself busy, so I started painting it in 2002.

Image: Storefront in October 2002.

What inspired you to open a candy shop?

The candy thing just kind of happened, it wasn’t like I was “I’m going to open a business that is candy,” there was already this idea to have candy, it was just high-end candy, which isn’t widely appealing, and is really only good for holidays. It just happened, I’m really fortunate.

What sets your candy shop apart from others in the area?

I think the neighbourhood for sure is number one. Dessert would not be Dessart without Cathedral, in my opinion, and the building too.

Have you noticed any trends in candy preferences over the years?

Definitely, Retro candy was a big thing when I started, and it has changed, Like novelty candy, the U.S. candy- which was our specialty for a few years. Now all the trends are on TikTok, so I adjust myself to that, which is actually super fun!

**What’s trending right now?**
Oh. Bubs! Fucking Bubs. It’s a Swedish candy and people are obsessed. The company has been in business since the early 90’s and it just started trending on TikTok, and people were tasting all of these different candies, and now the company hasn’t been able to keep up with demand. It’s insane, I’ll get $700 worth of Bubs in, and they’ll be gone in a weekend. It is kinda fun, and literally everyday people are calling for Bubs, and I cannot get them.

Halloween

What are the best-selling Halloween candies in your store?

The candy corn. There’s definitely the love-hate relationship with it. We’ve sold out twice of it.

Do you like candy corn?

I don’t mind it, it’s a little sweet, but i’ll definitely have a couple pieces.

**Do you have any memorable Halloween stories or moments involving your customers?**
I think all the neighbourhood kids coming in with their costumes on, that’s always super cute.
**Do you give out candy on Halloween?**
Yeah, I usually make little loot bags. Some of the fun costumes my staff has had over the years. I’m very shy so I don’t dress up. I know it’s lame, I should.

Community Engagement

How do you connect with the local community through your candy shop?

I think because its a walk neighhbourhood, that is a huge part of connecting with the neighbourhood. I guess, having a deck and having regulars over the years. So many people have been coming since the beginning so the interactions with the store.

Are there any special traditions or events your shop has established with the community over the years?

We do the light up the village every year, which is the first Thursday of every December, so we are open until midnight. That’s been going on for years.

Interviewer: I went to that for the first time a few years ago, and all of the stores were absolutely packed.

Yeah, people just know it happens and people come and socialize. It’s a socializing event. I’m pretty sure my kids were babies when that started, so it’s been at least 15 years, if not 16. Paper Umbrella started it.

How has the community influenced the success of your business?

Definitely, a large part of the support for the store is from the neighbourhood, especially in the beginning. There was a time when 13th [Avenue] was blocked off for construction the entire summer. It was crazy stressful because at the time my kids were 2 years old, my daughter was in the intensive care unit for 2 months in Saskatoon, then came back and we had mortgaged our house, and then the street gets blocked off. All and all it was fine, because of the support from the neighbourhood, we were only down a little bit. I can’t stress enough how important the walkability of the neighbourhood is. People in the neighbourhood don’t have to find parking, so it wasn’t that much of an issue that summer. There’s a lot of stories like that.
Then during covid, we had an anti-masker incident. It was on video and it exploded, and the support I got from that was crazy. We were jam-packed for an entire week, and people were calling and leaving like $100 tips for my staff. It was a very loyal following and it came at a very intense, emotional time for people. Just a group of people organized and said no were not going to accept that kind of behaviour.

Have you noticed certain candies being popular in your area specifically? Do you cater to local tastes?

During Covid, there was a huge push for local candies, and just local in general. At that time I had whatever local candy I could, particularly Filigree. I can’t remember what else I had, but I had a local box. That isn’t as prevalent as it is now. Now he’s just right around the corner!

Challenges and Future

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a small business owner, especially in a niche like candy?

I always say I’m really fortunate because I can be flexible with my time, but at the same time, literally the only holiday I’ve had in 22 years is during Covid I was closed for a week. I go away, but I;m always tied to the store. I’m here 5 days a week. The personal life balance, over the years and as you get older you learn how to balance that more but I think just the responsibility of owning a shop is really huge. You have to be responsible for your staff, your customer, your finances. Nobody could ever understand the financial stress that comes along with owning your own business, that’s pretty huge too.

How do you stay competitive in an age where big box stores and online retailers are selling candy?

Yeah, that is challenging. Whenever I see something in a store, and I have it, I drop the product because I can’t compete with that. Literally, my cost is more than what they’re selling it for most of the time, which is really annoying. I think part of the charm of Dessart is that it is an experience to come into the store, it’s not the same as buying candy off a Safeway shelf. You get the experience, it's the whole visual experience.

Interviewer: It’s the smell and colours! It’s very Willy Wonka-eque.

**What does the future hold for your candy shop?**

I’m always trying to evolve into whatever the market needs are. I want to grow my online present. I want to tap into the online shopping thing. I do have a lot of customers that if their in Regina, they come in and stock up that are from all of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It would be nice to accommodate them, I do have an online store, but I’m always working on that. That is a big part of my growth for the store

Is there anything you want Regina to know about you?

I think a lot of people still don’t know I’m here which is crazy. It’s so rewarding owning a business like this and being a part of the neighbourhood and peoples memories too.