It's like a kid in a candy store, literally, when heading off to work for Dewey's Candy shop owner Alison Oblonsky. Dewey's Candy is one of Brooklyn's finest candy establishments guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. With it's "Chocolate Bar" stacked to the brim with all the finest chocolate decadence to M&M's made up of every shade in a rainbow this wildly colorful store puts Willy Wonka's candy dreams to rest. They sell everything from throw backs to my childhood days-a la Fun Dips & candy cigarettes to larger than life lollis. We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Alison, who was given the nick-name Dewey as a child by her father.
Bebe Birds (BB): Growing up so many of us have had dreams of opening up a candy store of our very own. What actually propelled you to make such a dream a realtiy?
Dewey's Candy (DC): In late 2008 I was laid off from my job at Victoria's Secret. The economy was starting to spiral downward and I had no idea what I was going to do. It was time for a reinvention of myself. A friend suggested opening a candy store! I thought, what a great idea. Who doesn't love candy? And I knew at this point in my life, I wanted something that was mine! Dewey's Candy was born!
BB:What are some of your biggest Valentines Day sellers at Dewey's?
DC: Every year I get in these sour "pucker-up" lips! They are outrageously delicious! We also sell a ton of chocolate lips and hearts. And who can forget the nostalgic sweetheart boxes that we used to give away to everyone in our class! Always a holiday favorite.
BB: Have you seen any creative Valentines day candy purchases?
DC: I'm finding that this year, people are breaking away from the traditional Valentines Day candy when ordering gift buckets. They're ordering more nostaglic gifts. I carry such a huge assortment of nostalgic candy that covers every decade and that has the most emotional impact because it sends you back to your childhood.
BB: For those of us stuck on Valentines Day gifts can you offer some guidance?
DC: When in doubt, chocolate is typically the way to any one's heart! We have some great chocolate options; dark, milk, sea salt in bars as well as many great options in our assorted chocolate section. Now, if your love is not into chocolate, then either Valentine themed gummy or sour! We offer many gift packaging options. We will help anyone make their selection easy and painless.
BB: Being a candy store owner what is your favorite sweet at Dewey's Candy?
DC: Being surrounded by candy all the time my tastes change daily (sometimes hourly!) When I'm in a choclate mood, I go after my new favorite which is the dark chocolate bare almonds with sea salt (the bare means 'not a polished chocolate'. It's more raw). They are fabulous and addictive. And then there are days that the red Australian licorice jar is calling my name! I also get inspired by customers assortments!
DC: I learned that owning your own business is such a powerful (and scary) thing. To think I have a footprint in New York as a business owner is unbelievable. I had a clear vision on how I wanted the store to be and how I wanted it to function. And made it happen quickly (after signing the lease Alison opened the shop in 30 days with the help of friends and family.) When I was in the corporate world I felt like nobody could make a decision without having fifty conversations about the same thing...and still nothing would get done. The bottom line is "it's mine!"
BB: What's on Dewey's Candy agenda this Valentines Day?
DC: So, for Valentines Day Dewey's Candy will be making shopping painless for everyone. We will open at 10am. And from 2pm-9pm we will be serving champagne for the adults and balloons for the kids while they shop. Gift wrapping will be free!
Thank you so much Alison! Dewey's can certainly help sugar coat Valentines Day or any other special occasion for that matter! Yum! To learn more about Dewey's visit them online at www.deweyscandy.com or check out the candy shop in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
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