Yummy Co Retro Candy Shoppe is a beloved destination for candy lovers in Calgary, offering hard-to-find retro sweets from around the world. With nearly 25 years in business, Yummy Co brings a nostalgic candy experience to both children and adults, allowing customers to relive their childhood memories with every bite. From its cozy shop at the Crossroads Farmers Market to its online presence, Yummy Co is a sweet spot for anyone with a love for candy, whether you’re 3 or 93!
What is your business called and what does it do?
My business is called Yummy Co Retro Candy Shoppe. Yummy Co seeks out hard-to-find, retro candy from all parts of the world and resells to candy enthusiasts throughout Canada via our website as well as at our retail shop here in Calgary.
What made you want to do this work?
I grew up loving candy. My Grandfather was a master candy maker and set up his shop in Ottawa, Ontario. My love for candy and sweets must have been inherited from him. I always had a fond relationship for sweets as a child and it was a big part of my childhood.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I ended my career in Ottawa and migrated to Alberta in 1998 with my family. A short time later, I recognized the need for a good candy store within the Calgary City Limits. At the time there weren’t any candy shops to visit with my son. I immediately saw an opportunity to introduce Calgary to a great candy buying experience. Yummy Co was born in January 2001. We have been serving candy-loving Calgarians for almost 25 years.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We have been serving our customers for almost 25 years. We see children as young as 3 or 4 who bring their parents into our store. It’s usually their first time in a candy shop. What a privilege to satisfy these little shoppers. But make no mistake, their parents enjoy the shopping experience just as much, if not more! We see young shoppers as well as the older crowd visit our store. You could say our demographic is 3-93! There is no age barrier to enjoying candy at any age!
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We make money by purchasing hard-to-find and retro candies from all over the world and reselling it at the best price possible to all who enjoy stepping out of their adulthood and into their childhood with every bite of the goodies we offer.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
Yummy Co is situated in the oldest and largest indoor Farmers Market located in Calgary, Alberta. Yummy Co. is open Friday through Sunday only from 9 am to 5 pm. Customers can also find us online.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
The only questions we generally get are questions from customers asking for a specific candy from their childhood. They call to ask if we carry their favourite… I usually can provide them with the treat they seek. If its still being made today then its quite likely we have the candy they are looking for. Yummy Co has over 300 old fashioned candies in stock at any given time.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part of owning such a unique and special company is the customers. Its been an absolute pleasure watching my young customers growing up and going through all their phases of life. Its so satisfying to see them create and build their own families and having the opportunity to meet their very own children.
I don’t think there is any part of my work that isn’t satisfying or considered to be the “worst” part of my work…. Retail is a fickle thing. Knowing how to deal with all types of customers and personalities is a learned skill. Serving my customers for 25 years has taught me to always stay positive and upbeat no matter what is going on in my personal life. When I’m in my store in front of my customers, nothing else matters but the satisfaction of each and every one of my guests.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
I’m not sure I have a favourite “joke” about my business but I do hear almost every day from customers is that they say they “feel like a kid in a candy shop”… most who say this are over 30 lol…. I must be doing a good job when they come into my store feeling younger and not older.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Google
However, the best experience, of course, is walking into our store here at the Crossroads Farmers Market.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I don’t think I have any one particularly favourite homegrown business to share, but I will say that our Crossroads Market family of vendors is exceptional. There are over 100 small businesses in our market that are truly unique and wonderful to experience. You can check them out here.
