New Canaan sisters Lauren (NCHS ’06) and Megan (NCHS ’09) Palladino opened The Candy Scoop down “the alley” at the top of Elm Street in November, just before Thanksgiving.
The pair long had discussed the prospect of launching a business, and settled on candy, Megan said, “because there are so many things you can do with it.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) chats with Megan, Toni and Lauren Palladino at The Candy Scoop in New Canaan on Aug. 22. Toni’s daughters own and operate the popular candy shop. Credit: Michael Dinan
“There’s really no ceiling on the opportunities. We have the retail store, and we provide so many services. Candy buffets, dessert stations. We have the cotton candy machine that we rent out. We host parties, and we’re constantly evolving. This fall, we’re going to have homemade truffles. We just keep expanding and adding different options.”
On Friday, the girls talked about the shop with visitor U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4), a Greenwich resident in his sixth year representing New Canaan and the rest of the fourth Congressional district.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) chats with New Canaan Music’s Phil Williams and Jim O’Neill on Aug. 22. Credit: Michael Dinan
During their chat (Himes would drop in and visit New Canaan Music next door, and other local businesses, too)—watched over by the girls’ mom, Toni, and her mom, as well—the congressman asked about the Palladinos’ experience in retail prior to opening the shop, how things are going and also about their ability to access new inventory in a way that’s flexible enough to meet their business needs.
Lauren responded that just prior to opening, she and Megan—each of whom had worked in retail—connected with a chocolate maker in Westchester at a trade show, so that they can drive down same-day and stock up on items such as, say, chocolate Thanksgiving turkeys, keeping inventory low and avoiding shipping delays.
The chocolate-covered pretzels are some of the most popular items at The Candy Scoop. Credit: Michael Dinan
Filling a void that was left in the wake of The Sweet Shoppe’s closing a few years prior (yes, the sisters carry Italian ices), The Candy Scoop in its first year earned “Best of the Gold Coast” in the candy store category, and has emerged as an active, engaged member of the business and larger community in town, such as through hosting fundraisers for Make-A-Wish Connecticut.
Himes—who is running this year against Republican Dan Debicella, a former state senator who resides in Shelton—and his assistant stayed a good half hour chatting with the Palladinos, and each purchased some candy for their kids before saying goodbye. (They visited Life Aquatic and New Canaan Olive Oil as well as New Canaan Music.)
Part of the vision for the shop is to accommodate a growing number of customers who want to “shop and send” a gift basket or other item through the website, “so to eventually have an e-commerce website where we can reach an even wider range of people” is on the horizon, Lauren said.
Check out The Candy Scoop’s new listing on NewCanaanite.com for more information on the Palladino sisters and their shop, including the most popular item and a word on their customers. If you’ve had an experience with The Candy Scoop already, go ahead and share it with fellow locals by posting a rating and review.