Sweet success: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop brings nostalgia and smiles with its grand opening

MANSFIELD — Dozens of people lined up outside the historic Caldwell Bloor Building Thursday afternoon for a sweet celebration.

People wrapped around the building, eagerly waiting for the 4:05 p.m. grand opening of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop at 80 W. Third St.

“I started this little dream 13 years ago, and the fact that you all came here today to be with me at store number 20 is absolutely incredible,” owner Chris Beers said after coming outside to meet the crowd.

“I sincerely thank each and every one of you.”

Before unlocking the doors, Beers asked everyone in line to smile for a photo and shared how his mom once questioned him 13 years ago on how he planned to turn a penny candy store into a business

“I told her I had absolutely no idea,” he said. “It’s because of all of you that this little dream of mine came true.”

Community embraces the nostalgic feel

Born and raised in Mansfield, Andrew Childs said he is excited for a new and unique place for people to visit.

“It is perfect for if you are going to the movies or having a game night at home and want to get supplies, they have it all here for that,” Childs said.

Childs added he was excited to see such large turnout, noting Mansfield does not usually see turnouts as large when new businesses open up.

“Grandparents, parents and children,” he said. “They are all here and it is exciting to see.”

Aurelio Diaz, who represents the 5th Ward on Mansfield City Council, said seeing the turnout is wonderful, especially in wake of growth in the downtown.

Diaz described the location as one-of-a-kind, standout and huge. He said one concern is that you can get businesses downtown that are too similar, but this is not that case.

“This is a testament to what happens when you are a visionary and you execute your ideas,” Diaz said.

Diaz said he came in Thursday looking for a particular kind of candy. That all changed when he stepped inside the 4,000-square foot store and saw the hundreds of options from which to choose.

When asked if he would try any of the crazy flavor sodas, he responded “I want to try them all.”

He said a nostalgic feel takes over when stepping into the shop, adding it is something all ages can enjoy.

“This is for everyone,” Diaz said. “It is definitely a treasure.”

Local artist brings Mansfield charm to candy shop

When guests step into Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, they’re greeted by an explosion of color and nostalgia — shelves lined with unique flavored sodas, ice cream, gourmet chocolates, vintage candies and more.

A toy train circles the length of the store on a track suspended from the ceiling, while the walls showcase murals filled with nods to Mansfield, all created by local artist Allison Pence.

Pence said Jordan Wurthmann with The Purdy Construction Co. recommended her to Beers when he mentioned he was looking for someone who could paint quickly.

She met with Beers to go over his ideas for the kind of artwork he wanted to feature in the candy shop.

“He had ideas to mix local and company staples together,” Pence said. “He loosely had the ideas, and then I was allowed to expand on them.”

A few Mansfield landmarks painted on the walls throughout include The Ohio State Reformatory and Richland Carrousel Park.

She added coming to the grand opening, there was not a specific candy she was searching for — just something fun.

“The weirder, the better,” she said with a laugh. “The ketchup soda scares me. I don’t know if I even want to try it, but something in me says to just try it.”

Having lived in Mansfield for around 25 years, Pence said seeing a place like Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop downtown feels like a great step toward improving the area.

“It is good to see places like this coming to the area through all the construction,” she said.

(Below are photos from the grand opening Thursday of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop. Photos by Hannah Martin.)