The Candy Shoppe owners are going out with a bang ahead of their retirement next month.
The popular Highway 11 South business has been purchased by a mother-and-daughter duo, Shannon and Lilly Genno, who have pledged to maintain the traditions of the shop, its name, and it vibrant exterior colours.
The new owners will be starting fresh with new inventory, explains retiring co-owner Rita Robinson. As a result, on Tuesday, Oct. 11, everything inside The Candy Shoppe will be going on sale for 75 per cent off. All proceeds made during the sale will be donated to the Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia.
“The food bank has always been something that I’ve really supported,” Robinson said. “I know a lot of people who can really use it and need some money to get some things that are really needed right now.”
She says customers have been telling her it’s the right way to give back to the community after being supported for 23 years.
“I don’t think anybody has ever shut down a business this way,” she said. “Why not be the first? Maybe other people who are close to retirement will follow in the same footsteps.”
Once the inventory is depleted, customers will be able to take whatever they would like in return for a donation.
“I just want our customers to feel that we did it right when we were open,” Robinson said. “I want them to feel that we did it right when we closed it, too.”
She estimates there will be $75,000 to $100,000 worth of product that will be sold during the sale.
“It should be a substantial amount that the food bank will benefit from,” she said. “We did well with our business over the years, so why not?”
The new owners of The Candy Shoppe will take over with new inventory Nov. 1.
