Becca Schimmel
Contributing writer
There is a new place in town aiming to satisfy the community of Murray’s sweet tooth.
Candy Cravings is a new, family-owned business now open in Murray. Bubblegum pink walls and handmade decorations adorn the candy store, as well as various racks of colorful candy.
An idea not yet tapped in the Murray area, the Driscoll family decided to move to Murray from Chicago and settle down to offer something their kids have always enjoyed to the rest of the community.
“We thought it would be a cool thing for Murray to have its own candy store, and it is a great way to connect to the local community,” Mike Driscoll, co-owner, said.
There is a variety of different candies ranging from jelly beans to chocolate to Whirly Pops. Many candies offering a little taste of nostalgia can be found there to appeal to any homesick student, adult or child. There are even a few goofy candies such as wax lips and mustaches.
Interactive in some ways, Candy Cravings has a station to create custom sugary pucker powder sticks. The candy store provides chances to mix-n-match candy favorites for a more personal blend such as champagne bubble gummies and chocolate covered raisins.
There is the choice of mixing and matching different types of jellybeans as well as chocolates, hard candies and others. There are options available for pre-packaged flavors such as smoothie blend and soda pop as well.
There are choices of sugar-free candy for a sweets lover but health advocate as well. They will be getting more sugar-free options and displays to add to their store soon, Driscoll said.
Some famous fictional characters adorn their names on candy. The well-known Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Jelly Beans and other Harry Potter and Peter Rabbit candies are offered. These are all organized in a section of themed candies.
With Valentine’s Day arriving Tuesday, Candy Cravings has opened in time to have a small display of Valentine’s candies. However, they are focusing on novelty candies as the theme of their store. Gift boxes are on display to make gift-giving easier.
Like older candy shops, Candy Cravings charges by the weight of candy rather than pricing each piece.
“It is nice having a candy store like the one in Paducah,” Tori Cobb, non-student from Murray, said.
The candy store in Paducah, Candy Bouquet, is the next closest candy shop.
Candy Cravings is located in Murray Plaza on 12th Street next to Murray Doughnuts and near Tom’s Pizza.
The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.